Community, Connection, and Culturally Responsive Teaching

Facilitator: Kimberly Brown

In this visual arts workshop arts educators will convene in a studio based atmosphere exploring and creating in various artforms, while tackling the topics of community, connection, and culturally responsive teaching in the art classroom.

July 16, 2025 10:00 - 4:00 pm - In Person
July 17, 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Virtual

Those Other Cs: Integrating Culture, Choice, and Community in the Theatre Classroom

Facilitator: Dana Carr

We are all familiar with the 4 Cs of 21st-century learning; however, in the theatre classroom, additional Cs—Culture, Choice, and Community—are equally vital. This course draws upon the insights of Zaretta Hammond and other experts in Culturally Responsive Teaching to guide participants in crafting compelling narratives that will resonate and reveal. We will explore strategies for incorporating students' cultural contexts into the creative process, empowering them to make meaningful artistic choices. By embracing these Cs, educators
can engage in powerful self reflection and transform their theatre classrooms into spaces where every young artist’s story is heard, shared, and celebrated.

July 16, 2025 10:00 - 4:00 pm - In Person
July 17, 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Virtual

Dancing to Deepen Understanding and Connection

Facilitator: Lacey Sheppard

Movement is a powerful, culturally relevant tool that enhances cognitive processing, fosters deeper engagement, and supports diverse ways of knowing and expressing understanding. In this interactive workshop, participants will unpack and explore tools for communicating effectively through movement while using dance integration to deepen comprehension across curricular areas. By embodying concepts and making intentional movement choices, learners connect more deeply with themselves and others, strengthening both personal expression and collective meaning-making. This process empowers individuals to take ownership of their understanding while amplifying their unique voices. Educators will leave with practical strategies for using movement to facilitate meaningful, inclusive learning experiences in their classrooms, regardless of their dance background.

July 16, 2025 10:00 - 4:00 pm - In Person
July 17, 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Virtual

Tell It from the Heart Interactive Games for Educators

Facilitator: Tavish Forsyth and Blue Cavell

As teaching artists and storytellers, it’s incredibly important that we consider the personal benefits of collective play. Mischief, games, and telling it from the heart can unite people and facilitate dialogue around an idea. At the same time, extreme competition can harm, divide and contribute to a culture of bullying. How do we invite students to play and take risks through interactive learning, while making space for every-body to express themselves and learn from their mistakes. How do we welcome all ideas and uplift the things that make one another unique? In this workshop, educators will learn how to play culturally responsive games for emerging artists. Participants will walk away with theories, frameworks, and activities to enrich their learning communities with laughter and meaningful experience. Along the way, we will illuminate the pit falls and problems that arise when we take risks and when we practice playing together, offering ways of defusing difficult situations by pointing to what hurts. Through experiential learning that utilizes improvisation, creative writing, and peer-to-peer dialogue, we will remember and celebrate the serious craft of play. Explore play and storytelling as modalities of cultural responsive learning that facilitates social emotional growth, healing and mindfulness through ensemble games, improv and creative writing.

July 16, 2025 10:00 - 4:00 pm - In Person
July 17, 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Virtual

Listening, Learning, and Liberating

Facilitator: Joseanne Francis

Music education can be a space for fostering student agency, cultural affirmation, and emotional well-being. This interactive workshop explores a democratic and culturally relevant music curriculum designed for young learners, integrating trauma-informed practices to support diverse student experiences. Through aural learning, improvisation, and engagement with non-Western and popular music traditions, participants will experience first-hand how inclusive pedagogical strategies amplify student voice, nurture creativity, and build community in both classroom and community music settings. Educators will leave with practical tools for implementing student-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed approaches that cultivate meaningful and equitable music-making experiences for all learners.

July 16, 2025 10:00 - 4:00 pm - In Person
July 17, 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm - Virtual