Episodes 173-174: Professional Learning Community (PLC) Leadership
Why does participating in ongoing Professional Learning Communities (PLC) develop highly effective arts educators? How does professional learning grow teachers’ ability to develop, facilitate, and sustain a PLC grounded in action research? In this episode, explore these questions as we dive deeper into what it means to be an arts-based PLC leader. Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and The Creativity Department’s Matt Grundler are joined by arts educators from NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN). Dance Teacher Emily Ban and Music Teacher Luana Palimetakis join the conversation about creating positive learning environments for adults and the strong community that develops.
About Connected Arts Networks (CAN): The National Art Education Association (NAEA), in partnership with the Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects has launched a nationwide initiative to create virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The goal of this Connected Arts Networks (CAN) is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students.
The National Art Education Association (NAEA), in partnership with the Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, and National Dance Education Organization has launched a nationwide initiative to create virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The goal of this Connected Arts Networks (CAN) is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students. In this series of episodes, The Creativity Department and co-host Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz dive deeply into the importance of Cultural Responsiveness in the Arts Classroom. Following are resources and additional information for this episode.
Resources
Guests
Joy Hammond Wright
Drama Teacher
Joy Hammond Wright developed a passion for theatre through her work as a professional actress and has since been sharing her love of theatre arts with the students she encounters. She enjoys working with children in a creative space and bringing industry professionals into these spaces to share their experience with learners. Joy supports the pursuit of artistic careers and works to bridge the gap with parents.
Hilary Morefield-Colman
Media Arts Educator
Hilary Morfield-Colman is a photographer and media arts educator based in Ventura, California. Hilary currently teaches 9–12 visual and media arts at Ventura Unified School District and is an adjunct faculty member at California Lutheran University (CLU). She holds a BA in Media Arts and Communications from UC San Diego and a master’s degree in education from CLU.
Luana Palimetakis
K–5 Music Teacher
Luana holds the position of lead elementary music teacher for Craven County Schools and was named the teacher ambassador for her school for the 2021–2022 school year. Luana is a National Board Certified Teacher and a proud member of NAfME and NCMEA. Luana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from West Liberty University in West Virginia and a Master of Arts in Education from Muskingum University in Ohio.
Emily Ban
Dance Teacher
Emily Ban is a dancer, choreographer, and elementary dance educator, teaching in Oakland, CA. She serves as Oakland Unified’s dance teacher on special assignment, coaching new Dance Teachers, and designs and leads weekly professional development for the district’s elementary arts educators. She holds an EdM in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BA in Dance from Carleton College.
CAN Partner Organizations
- National Art Education Association
- National Association for Music Education
- National Dance Education Organization
- Educational Theater Association
- NYC Dept. of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects (OASP)
Links
- Connected Arts Networks information on NAEA website
- CAN Press Release
- CAN Tip Sheet
- School Reform Initiative Protocols
- NAEA ED&I Hub
- Meet the new CAN Teacher Participants!
- Center for Leadership and Educational Equity (CLEE)
- Michigan Arts Education Instruction & Assessment
BOOKS
- Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching and Learning by Gholdy Muhammed
- Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta L. Hammond
- The Reflexive Teaching Artist by Kathryn Dawson and Daniel A. Kelin, II
- The Leader in Me: How Schools Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time by Stephen R. Covey
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