Two years ago, I was in a professional learning session where one of the presenters said, “You need to be comfortable being uncomfortable.” It took everything in me to stifle my laughter. I wondered why someone would suggest that being uncomfortable would be beneficial. The statement intrigued me so much that I wrote it down and posted it on my desk to continue thinking about it.
As it turns out, this idea changed every facet of my life, as I reexamined my ways of thinking and the barriers I had placed on myself and situations around me. I renewed my commitment to personal growth and challenged myself physically, mentally, and emotionally through activities both inside and outside the work day whether I was hiking or tackling the work of equity and accessibility in arts education.
I recently spent the day with a group of friends exploring a 12-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail, a winding, sometimes narrow path. Hiking this particular trail was not always comfortable, physically or mentally, but I arrived at the end feeling a great sense of accomplishment knowing I’d grown in ways I never expected.
The fact that I was able to complete this hike is a testament to the consistent work I’ve put in over the past couple of years to transform myself physically, mentally, and emotionally, including all those small and big moments of discomfort, stretching my limits and expectations of myself. I also knew I had friends in front of me and behind me on the trail who would support me if I had a question, twisted an ankle, or needed to rest.
I’d like to invite you to consider how you could become comfortable being uncomfortable. One suggestion I have is for you to share stories of equity, personal experiences, and practices in arts education by presenting at the Arts Empower Mega Conference. Submit a proposal to present before June 30 or sign up to be the first to know when registration opens for the Sept. 14-15 event.
Regardless of what type of path you find yourself on at this moment, I hope you will remember that you are not alone and that discomfort is temporary. You have put in the work to become an educator and although it is not always comfortable (especially the past two years), I believe you will continue to learn and improve the learning you provide for all students. It will take all of us willing to be comfortable with being uncomfortable to ensure all students have a meaningful, relevant, standards-based arts education.
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VAPA Coordinator, San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE)
858-295-8881
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San Diego Arts Empower Mega Conference Returns
After a great deal of thought and several conversations with many of you, the Arts Empower Mega Conference has been reimagined to increase accessibility in our ever-changing professional learning environment. The 2022 Arts Empower Mega Conference on Sept. 14 and 15 will offer both virtual and in-person pathways with multiple locations across the county to provide maximum access to those interested in attending and learning. The annual event is designed for educators, artists, and leaders to connect and engage in meaningful learning together.
The event kicks off Sept. 14 with a virtual welcome, inspiring keynote presentation, and one arts discipline-specific session.
Sept. 15 will begin virtually in the morning with the opportunity to meet and learn in person at one of several regional hubs across the county in the afternoon. We’ll have sessions that inspire effective, relevant, and engaging student learning practices. Be the first to know when event registration opens by signing up.
This is also your opportunity to share stories of equity, personal experiences, and practices in arts education by presenting at the Mega Conference. This year’s conference theme is Common Unity: Working Toward Equity Together. Presentation proposals are accepted now through June 30. Submit a proposal to present!
Together, we'll kick off the 2022-23 school year with joy and intention, renewed and ready to positively impact the lives of our students with the power of the arts.
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Intro to the California Arts Ed Framework
This session is designed for arts educators, multiple subject teachers, school and district administrators, and teaching artists to build initial understanding of the California Arts Education Framework and explore strategies for implementation. Intro to the California Arts Education Framework is a virtual professional learning session being offered free of charge.
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Discipline-Specific California Arts Ed Framework
This session is designed for arts educators, multiple subject teachers, school and district administrators, and teaching artists to deepen understanding of the California Arts Education Framework and explore strategies for implementation within specific disciplines of visual arts, music, dance, theatre, and/or media arts. Session dates and registration information are available for this no-cost virtual professional learning session.
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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Arts
This session is designed for arts educators, multiple subject teachers, school and district administrators, and teaching artists to increase understanding of the connections between the California Arts Standards for Public Schools and UDL in addition to strategies for implementation. Session dates and registration information are available for this no-cost virtual professional learning session.
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Intro to the California Arts Standards
This session is designed for arts educators, multiple subject teachers, school and district administrators, and teaching artists to build initial understanding of the California Arts Standards for Public Schools and explore strategies for implementation. Session dates and registration information are available for this no-cost virtual professional learning session.
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Ryan Anthony Music Project
San Diego Winds, along with Yamaha, is bringing back the educator’s track to the San Diego Summer Music Institute. From July 19 to 22, some of the top musicians, educators, conductors, and industry professionals from across the country will be at Point Loma Nazarene University to present a wide range of professional development sessions. These sessions include a conducting symposium featuring the 1st Marine Division Band, traditional conference sessions including headlining sessions by Marcia Neel, and a brand new concept called the Teaching Lab where attendees will have the opportunity to apply new teaching strategies in concepts in real-time to real students.
There is an amazing lineup of clinicians and presenters that includes Anthony Maiello, Travis Cross, Gary Hill, Marcia Neel, and more! Through the partnership with Yamaha, the Ryan Anthony Music Project is only $150, and you do not have to pay anything up front to register. San Diego Winds will work with your district to secure funding for your registration.
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Professional Development at The Old Globe
Globe Learning provides professional development opportunities to our local theatre community of actors, directors, teaching artists, and educators, connecting them with visiting artists from our production season, strengthening the community network of theatre makers, and supporting and advancing participant skills in theatre making, engagement, and performance.
Clown in the Classroom with Skyler Sullivan will be offered on June 4 for all arts teachers and teaching artists! Learn how to access the building blocks of clowning to infuse humor and enhance physical engagement into your lesson plans. This workshop will model some exercises and vocabulary for you to apply to your classroom, and open up a whole new world of engagement.
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California Arts Education Framework
New resources are available for you to learn about the purpose and development of the California Arts Education Framework, experience highlights from each of the chapters, and gain an understanding of how the framework assists us in supporting all learners. Whatever our role in the arts education community, this powerful document can guide us in designing and implementing a relevant, student-centered, standards-based arts education for all students. You can find videos, infographics, handouts, and slide decks by visiting the CalArtsEd Framework website. The new Arts Education Framework document can be found on the California Department of Education website.
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Introduction to Arts Integration
Building an awareness of how to use theatre strategies to integrate arts can activate your curriculum in any content area. Introduction to Arts Integration is a free, online, asynchronous course developed by La Jolla Playhouse to guide educators through a deep understanding of the value of standards-based arts integration, how to develop an ensemble mindset in the classroom, assessment through the arts, and ways to connect community arts organizations to schools. The course includes example lesson plans, teacher testimony, and resources to guide arts integration into standards-based curriculum.
This course was designed through the Kennedy Center Partners in Education partnership between the La Jolla Playhouse and SDCOE with funding provided by the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association Arts Initiative.
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Arts Education Curriculum Units
Whether you are looking for new units to use with your students or plans to share with a substitute, you will want to check out the SDCOE units of study in grades K-12. Focused on grade-level essential learnings in each content area, these units were purposefully designed to integrate content (including the arts), and provide flexibility and choice. These open-source units are available in Google to ensure maximum flexibility for teachers to use them with their district’s preferred instructional platform.
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Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students
June is Pride month and the Equity team at SDCOE has resources and learning sessions to help educators better understand how to support LGBTQIA+ students. SDCOE's goal is to help educators cultivate positive and safe school environments that empower youth with the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed every day. Upcoming learning sessions include Education and Advocacy at 4 p.m. on June 15 and Laws and Policy Deep Dive at 4 p.m. on June 22. |
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Calling All Student Performers
The U.S. Department of Education has issued a nationwide call for student performing artists currently enrolled in elementary and secondary public, charter, and private schools who are interested in showcasing their talent in person or virtually at agency-hosted events.
Performers may include, but are not limited to, soloists, bands/marching bands, choirs, color guards, dancers, poets/spoken word artists, and theatrical performers. Students should exemplify resilience, diversity, and excellence. No formal training or experience is necessary. Visit the Department of Education page for complete details, including past performance examples and frequently asked questions. Contact studentart@ed.gov with any questions. |
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Nominate a Remarkable Teen
The Public Defender Office of San Diego County is again seeking nominations for its Remarkable Teen Awards. The program honors 25 teenagers for accomplishments and contributions in 25 nontraditional categories, such as activism, climate change, courage to overcome adversity, innovation, public speaking, non-traditional sports, technology, and more. Categories beyond those listed on the nomination form will be considered, as long as they are not related to academics and traditional sports.
Please consider nominating a young person between ages 13 and 19 who lives in San Diego County and is motivated, committed to their community, inspiring in their talents/skills, or who has shown the courage to confront and overcome adversity. All nominees will receive a certificate of recognition. View the nomination form and list of categories. The nomination window is open through Sept. 15. |
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"Our Health Deserves A Boost(er)!" Video and Visual Art Challenge
Live Well San Diego invites people ages 5 to 25 to participate in the Our Health Deserves a Boost(er)! challenge to raise awareness through video and visual art about the importance of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, and the positive equitable impact of vaccines. Eligible participants will compete within their age group in their chosen category. Various cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1,200 are available as well as the opportunity to have their work shared through media communication outlets. Visit the contest page for complete details. The submission deadline is June 19. |
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The Valise Project
The Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego is currently offering The Valise Project free of charge to all Title I schools. This is an amazing opportunity for students of all ages to flex their critical thinking muscles, explore art, artists, and concepts ending with the physical act of creating art themselves. The project is conducted both virtually and in person, with coinciding art materials provided by the museum and dropped off at the site before the scheduled project date.
The Valise Project currently consists of Real Image by Ruben Ochoa, Field Box by Allison Moritsugu, California Dreamin' by Max Ernst Greis, and American Roadshow by Todd Noe. The project is formulated for a two-hour period, the first consisting of the chosen valise lesson plan including student-led discussions and exploration, with the second being an art making activity where students get to make art based on the valise artists chosen theme and method while adding their own personal flare. It is important to mention that some of our teaching staff is bilingual, greatly increasing the opportunity for students to fully engage in the material. This is a great opportunity to get to know varying forms of what art can be while joining in the creative process.
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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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