Course Description: Participants explore and develop personal creative habits followed by arts discipline-specific instruction, led by master artists, taught in studio environments to awaken the artist in each participant while providing a deep investigation of the latest artistic techniques.

Facilitator: Leayne Dempsey & Dana Carr

Bio: Leayne C. Dempsey is an international director, actor, acting coach, and master teacher. She has used her theatre major in a variety of fields, including education, mental health, regional theatre, independent film, and arts administration. Leayne was an IB Theatre and English teacher for seven years. She is a proud Equity Membership Candidate with the Actors Equity Association. Leayne is CEO of the educational consulting company Theatre Major, LLC (@wearetheatremajor), that serves students who are pursuing degrees in theatre and/or musical theatre. Leayne will be teaching Arts Integration in the Elementary Classroom as an Adjunct Faculty member at the School of Education's Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Dana Carr is currently the Executive Director of Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center, a non profit organization whose mission is to empower youth through the arts, academics, and social development. She has served as an administrator, curriculum writer, mentor, teacher and instructional coach, giving her a diverse background of experiences to share. Dana holds her master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland with certifications in arts integration, teaching artistry and organizational development. She is passionate about ensuring that all students have equitable access to a quality education that is inclusive of the arts.

Key Teaching and Learning Strategies explored in this course: 

• Perception - METACOGNITION: Deepen the awareness of the personal creative and teaching & learning practice. For oneself and others.

• The Creative Process Map - BIG IDEAS: Guide participants through a creative response to a relevant and exciting concept.

• Facilitator Role - TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION: Align technology tools to learning goals.

• Artist Communities - COLLABORATIVE LEARNING STRUCTURES: Adopt collaborative learning structures to deepen learning goals.

To download the full MSDE Fine Arts Office Professional Learning Framework, please click here.