Educator growth is important, too.
Dr. Kyley Pulphus-Smith | Education Director, KID smART
This summer I spent a week in Chicago attending the Habla Institute Journeys Between Worlds. The Habla Institute is a professional development experience where educators of all disciplines and grade levels explore creative, arts-based approaches to teaching.
Over the course of four days I connected and collaborated with teachers, visited the National Museum of Mexican Art, and made some beautiful art. That time was not only refreshing, but inspiring. I was filled with ideas with ways to bring back what I’d learned to KID smART.
Educator growth is important, too.
Without intentional pause to reflect and strengthen our practices, teaching risks becoming a cycle of repetition rather than a process of evolution. Though many joke teaching is easy because of “summers off,” it’s during the summer that educators have the most time to step back, analyze the year, discover innovative pedagogy, and redesign lessons for greater student engagement and impact.
“When I re-enter the learning space, I want to enter it better.”
I was not the only staff member to spend time reflecting and learning this summer. The amazing arts educators I’m so proud to work with all dedicated time to strengthening their craft.
One of my colleagues gave me a beautiful compliment. She said, “I’ve worked at a number of arts organizations, and I’ve never seen a programming team take so much time and be so intentional about reflection.”
This made my dear Education Director heart soar!
This means that our artists are committed to constantly refining their practices to create arts education spaces that our community deserves.
