IN THIS ISSUE
- Amazing A+ Summer
- New Leader Toolkit
- A+ Fellow Spotlight
- Recruiting New A+ Fellows
- NCDPI Survey Input
|
|
|
A+ Schools provided 33 hours of in-depth arts-based experiences for more than 400 A+ educators this summer. Our theme this year is “Bloom Where You are Planted,” encouraging educators to nurture and grow their A+ practice and cultivate a creative learning environment. While our conferences remained online this year, the energy and participation of our schools exceeded our expectations! In July, we offered two three-day conferences designed for A+ schools within their first three years of A+ implementation, with interactive whole-school sessions and workshops focused on the A+ Essentials, building a creative culture, and exploring an integrated curriculum.
In August, we hosted an online A+ Educator Conference. A+ educators and administrators were able to select sessions "a la carte," based on their interest and schedules. Participants enjoyed panel discussions, "Lunch and Learn" sessions, and concurrent workshops with other educators in the A+ network while they learned about new resources and arts-integration strategies to use in their A+ practice as they started a new school year.
|
|
|
|
Supporting New A+ Leaders
|
|
|
A+ Schools of North Carolina is welcoming many new A+ leaders to our network. We have created the New A+ Leader Toolkit: a resource to help new A+ leaders learn more about A+ Schools and how the program can help support and nurture their creative learning community. We also reached out to veteran A+ school leaders and asked them to share advice, lessons learned, and the importance of A+ practice at their schools. Read the article below for words of wisdom and guidance for all A+ schools!
|
|
Now Recruiting New A+ Fellows!
|
|
|
In 2023, A+ Schools will be adding new skilled facilitators to our A+ Fellows cohort. Fellows provide professional development to the A+ network and partners. Our cadre of Fellows consists of arts teachers, classroom teachers, administrators, college professors, teaching artists, and professional artists actively involved in education. As part of their training, those chosen spend one year as an Apprentice Fellow, actively observing and learning the unique processes of A+ facilitation. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming an A+ Fellow, please visit our website to learn more about the application process, which begins November 1.
|
|
|
A+ Fellow Spotlight: Victoria Lightfoot
|
|
|
Newly inducted A+ Fellow Victoria Lightfoot is a superstar educator. This past May, she received the Milken Educator Award, which recognizes early- to mid-career education professionals for their already-impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. Congratulations, Victoria! Check out our blog post about Victoria and her exemplary work in education.
|
|
|
In preparation for revisions to the K-12 Arts, K-12 Guidance, and K-12 World Language state standards, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction is surveying educators, administrators, parents, students, institutions of higher education, business representatives, national organizations, and other education agencies for their responses to the current standards. These surveys are designed to gather thoughtful input and comments from stakeholders familiar with these areas to inform the revisions. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the decision-making in behalf of our public schools. Responses are due by 5 p.m. on November 17, 2022.
|
|
|
|
|
|
