Last spring, I decided to begin martial arts training thanks to encouragement from my teenage son. I have never participated in any type of organized sport in my life, so this was completely out of my comfort zone.
The opportunity to experience being a learner in a situation where I had little prior knowledge has been priceless. Learning from my classmates who range in age from 12 to 66 years old has helped me better understand how my brain works and the importance of understanding and acknowledging different learning styles in others. I cannot tell you how many times a classmate tried to explain a concept to me in a way that I could not make sense of, only to have someone else explain it in a different way that I easily understood.
I have pushed myself both mentally and physically and accomplished goals I never imagined possible. For example, the first time I was asked to break a board during a belt test I was completely stunned. I knew I had two choices at that moment: walk away or face this new challenge. It was exhilarating when I broke the board (after only a few attempts). Not to brag, but now I can break boards using multiple techniques, usually on the first try, because I have become more confident and focused.
As you make plans for the summer and fall, I would encourage you to put yourself back in the role of a learner. I guarantee it will be worth your time and you will be a better educator for it!
Also, consider expanding your comfort zone and submit a proposal to present at the
Arts Empower Mega Conference on Oct. 17. I know we have some amazing, engaging educators with strategies and expertise to share. You can impact hundreds of students by presenting at this unique event.
If you’re on Twitter, connect with me
(@PCrooks_VAPA) and others passionate about arts education on our weekly chats every Wednesday from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Just search
#CaArtsEdChat to see previous conversations on the new state arts standards, best practices, and the great things happening in your classes. I’ll see you then!
VAPA Coordinator, SDCOE
858-292-3547
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Mark Your Calendars!
Arts Empower San Diego Mega Conference on Oct. 17
Start planning now to attend the 2019
Arts Empower San Diego Mega Conference on Oct. 17 at Balboa Park. It’s the premier arts education professional learning event for teachers and administrators in San Diego County with more than 50 different breakout sessions, networking, and conversations focused on arts education.
The Arts Empower Mega Conference is a one-of-a-kind forum that unites teachers of all arts disciplines, elementary multiple-subject teachers, teaching artists, school administrators, and arts organization members. It’s developed in partnership with the county’s arts education organizations and Balboa Park arts and culture institutions.
Arts Empower Assembly Shares Progress, Vision
You are invited to be part of the annual Arts Empower San Diego Assembly where San Diego County's arts education community comes together to share progress and envision the future of arts education for every child. The assembly begins at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 12. This event also celebrates the seven-year anniversary of Arts Empower San Diego.
Register to attend and learn more about how you can be a part of this motivated community of arts advocates.
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New Arts Curriculum Framework Update
Using Music to Teach Mathematics Grant
As a way to promote music as a means to help elementary school students engage with mathematics, the
Mathematics Education Trust, established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), is offering grants up to $3,000 to pre-K to grade 2 teachers who teach mathematics or collaborate with educators who teach mathematics for students in pre-K to grade 2. Grant applications for 2020-21 will be accepted starting June 1. Qualifying teachers must be members of NCTM or teach at schools that are NCTM members as of Oct. 12, 2019.
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Arts Educators Explore Stigma and Bias at Event
Nearly 100 arts education leaders came together May 10 at the Kickstart the Arts in (Y)Our Schools event to focus on stigma, bias, and the power of creativity and the arts.
The day included structured networking with colleagues and professional learning sessions on collaborative partnerships, managing bias while engaging creativity, arts integration, copyright and privacy laws, and media arts. Ignatius Nguyen and Ashton Fulcher from
San Diego Urban Beats kicked off the event with a presentation on how stigmas impact us, our community, and mental health systems, and how the arts can be the solution.
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Pacific Arts Integration Conference in Sacramento
The
Pacific Arts Integration Conference will be held June 17 and 18 in Sacramento. Guided by experienced teaching artists and administrators from the
Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., educators will explore the meaning and practice of arts integration in schools. This conference features hands-on workshops and practical approaches to implementing arts-integrated instruction. It is recommended that you attend this conference with a team.
Courageous Creativity Conference
The California Arts Project’s (TCAP) Courageous Creativity Conference will be June 19 to 21 in Anaheim. It’s a unique leadership conference designed for arts education leaders, educators, and decision makers to engage in conversations critical to arts education. The
registration form is available online. TCAP’s Courageous Creativity Conference is designed for arts education leaders, educators, and decision makers.
Arts and Literacy Makerspace Bootcamp
A three-day, hands-on bootcamp available through the Southern California Professional Development Federation will be June 26 to 28 at the North County Regional Education Center. The
Arts and Literacy Makerspace Bootcamp features tools for integrating arts throughout all curriculum areas with unique and engaging techniques such as literacy makerspaces, sketch-noting, visual literacy strategies, and theater tableau for reading comprehension. Participants will leave with several lessons, new skills, and methods for assessing student learning.
CCSESA Creativity at the Core Summer Institute
Plans are underway for 5th annual
Creativity at the Core Summer Institute to be held July 10 to 12 at the Monterey Tides Hotel in Monterey. The California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) event is presented in partnership with the Monterey County Office of Education, CREATE CA, and the CDE. Guest speakers include Dr. Ivonne Chand O’Neal, researcher and author, who has worked nationally on arts and creativity research; and Dr. Ping Ho, Director of the Center for Arts and Healing at UCLA, who will address the topic of social and emotional learning and the arts. Letty Kraus, Dr. Lindsay Weiss, and Jack Mitchell, CDE consultants, will also present sessions on the new California Arts Standards and other key arts education topics. The institute is almost full, so
register soon to save your spot! The event is designed for kindergarten through higher education teachers, county office and district administrators, curriculum directors, artist educators, arts leaders, pre-service teachers, arts specialists, parents, and school board members.
Share and Learn at MESI Symposium
The San Diego County Office of Education MESI Symposium brings together educators to share best practices and promote innovative learning experiences for all students. The event will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 25 at the future home of the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park. MESI stands for making, entrepreneurship, STEAM, and invention. Learn more and register on the
event website.
Equity Conference 2020
Save the date and
register for SDCOE’s statewide
Equity Conference in January 2020 at the San Diego Convention Center. The event on Jan. 16 and 17 will be a valuable time for county offices, districts, schools, community partners, and parents to collaborate and learn together on how to engage effective, systemic change. This conference brings together nationally recognized speakers and spotlights current research and best practices. The Equity Conference sessions are focused on strengthening our systems to better respond to the linguistic, cultural, social-emotional, and mental health needs of all students, and create the conditions for them to thrive and make healthy choices.
Kennedy Center Program for Young Artists with Disabilities
The VSA Emerging Young Artists Program, a Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program, recognizes and showcases the work of emerging young artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, living in the United States. This year's exhibition will explore unexpected connections and new discoveries through artwork that resonates deeply and spurs greater understanding of our connected lives. Fifteen artists will be selected by jury, with award amounts ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. Selected winning artwork will travel in a yearlong national exhibition. Winning artists will receive an all-expenses-paid professional development workshop at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, June 5. Visit the
VSA Emerging Young Artists Program webpage for more information.
Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra
The San Diego Mainly Mozart festival is offering complimentary tickets to San Diego County educators. The organization is dedicated to connecting people to the genius and innovation of Mozart and the Masters, to world-class musicians and music-making, and to each other. Its annual Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra is composed of concertmasters and players from the continent’s leading orchestras and only assembles in June in San Diego.
View this flyer to RSVP for one of the festival dates.
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Summer Choral Intensive
The
Summer Choral Intensive, held July 8 to 13 at Point Loma Nazarene University, provides students with a high-level choral experience. Students rehearse and perform challenging choral repertoire, attend music theory classes, hear from local professors and professional musicians, and benefit from group sectionals with a member of SACRA/PROFANA Core Chorus specific to their voice type. The week culminates in a final performance that includes the core chorus of SACRA/PROFANA. No audition required, and tuition assistance is available.
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If you have any questions or comments about
Arts in Action
,
plea
se contact
Pauline Crooks
.
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at
SDCOE
and in our districts across the county.
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