Free arts integration professional development for teachers

MANSFIELD, OHIO. The Kennedy Center Partners in Education Mansfield Team, comprised of the Renaissance Performing Arts Association, the Mansfield Art Center, and Mansfield City Schools, will host a virtual professional development workshop on arts integration for elementary and intermediate educators, and administrators on Thursday, December 9, 2021. The workshop is an asynchronous session, combined with Zoom as a platform, and led by Ms. Rick; thus allowing those registered to participate from any location using their own laptop or other device. The registration fee for the workshop has been covered for all participants through the generous support of the Ohio Arts Council and Charles P. Hahn, CFP.

Focus 5 and Kennedy Center teaching artist Melanie Rick will lead her workshop entitled, “I See a Feeling: Examining SEL through Illustrations,” for teachers serving students in grades K-8. Children’s literature is filled with characters who wrestle with various emotions while striving to overcome obstacles. The illustrations in these books often capture complex thoughts, feelings and actions and provide the catalyst for rich conversations and powerful lessons focused on social-emotional learning. During this session, participants learn how to look, think, and talk about detailed aspects of illustrations to help students make personal connections and gain a deeper understanding of their own feelings as well as others’ feelings around them.

The professional development workshop will be presented from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM; and participants will receive a Zoom link before the start of the workshop. Registration is available at https://melanierick2021. eventbrite.com. Contact hour verification for CEUS is available for participants. For more information, call 419522-2726 ext. 252 or email maddie@ mansfieldtickets.com.

Melanie Rick is a National Board-certified Teacher, certified reading specialist, and co-owner and senior arts-integration consultant for Focus 5, Inc. She designs and leads workshops, in-depth courses, and summer institutes focused on aligning arts integration, best instructional practices, and current research in the fields of arts and education.