SPA offers professional development opportunities to all K-12 teachers through workshops on incorporating the arts into any classroom setting, as well as expanding existing arts curricula. These workshops will be held in conjunction with this season’s performances of Mayhem Poets, The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, DrumLine Live, The National Acrobats of China, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Workshop leaders integrate various Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), including Art, Dance, Language Arts, Music, and Social Studies into the curricula, and the workshops provide yet another opportunity for the lifelong learning that teachers support and are involved in themselves. Teachers in Texas must regularly be involved in their own professional development to respond to the changing nature of education, schools, and students. Certificates for Professional Staff Development will be given to all registered participants for fulfilling requirements for the Texas Education Agency’s Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS).



The $50 registration fee covers parking, materials and lunch.

SPA’s 2008-2009 Teacher Workshops
:
Art Contest Teacher Workshop
For all K-12 Visual Art Teachers
Monday, September 22, 2008
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Glassell Junior School, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Engage in hands-on art activities that reflect the traditions of Latin American countries as well as incorporate the Visual Art TEKS objectives. Prepare for SPA’s upcoming 11th Annual Wells Fargo Student Visual Art Contest held in conjunction with Fiesta Navidad by Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. The Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos inspire vibrant holiday fiesta artwork through a celebration of traditional singing and dancing.

Click here to learn more about SPA’s 11th Annual Wells Fargo Student Visual Art Contest

 
 

The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa
For K-12 Music and Dance Teachers
Saturday, November 22, 2008
9:00am -
3:00pm
Jones Hall


Learn about the West African country of Mali through its musical traditions. Educators of singers, dancers, and musicians alike will enjoy learning about the rhythms, instruments, and folklore of Mali for day of inspiration. Integrate the Music and Dance TEKS into this educational and entertaining celebration of African customs.



 
 

DrumLine Live
For 6-12 Band Directors
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
9:00am -
3:00pm
Jones Hall


Attention all Band Directors! DrumLine Live brings show-style, marching band performers from America’s top historically Black Colleges and Universities to the theatrical stage for the first time! Participants will have the opportunity to see DrumLine Live on stage at Jones Hall as part of the teacher workshop program.




 
 

The National Acrobats of China
For K-3 & 6-7 Social Studies Teachers and
9-12 History Teachers
Friday, February 13, 2009
9:00am -
3:00pm
Jones Hall


This elite group of gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers roll 2,000 year-old Chinese traditions and exotic Chinese music into an enlightening professional development opportunity. The People’s Republic of China Cultural Consul of Houston will visit with workshop attendees about the traditions of Chinese culture. The best of traditional music of China, Chinese martial arts, illusion and acrobats, including plate-spinning, cycling stunts and bench-juggling with the feet, make this dazzling company the most influential acrobatic ensembles in the world.




 
 

Mayhem Poets
For 3-5 Language Arts Teachers, 6-8 RELA Teachers, and 9-10 English Teachers
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
9:00am -
3:00pm
Wortham Center

Performance poetry is an accessible, appealing art form that can motivate students to foster an appreciation for both classic and contemporary poetic/theatrical expression. Utilizing hip-hop rhythms and dynamic theatrical techniques, the Mayhem Poets have developed powerful performances to inspire students to craft and perform original poetry.

Participants will attend a Mayhem Poets performance as part of this workshop.




 
 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
For 6-12 Music and Dance Teachers
Friday, March 27, 2009
9:00am -
3:00pm
Jones Hall


The program is designed to help music and dance teachers develop well-rounded young dancers and musicians by providing them with a rich artistic experience encompassing a diverse curriculum of ballet, modern, West African dance, Spanish dance, tap, gymnastics and character dance combined with music.