Theme 2022: Full STEAM Ahead

*OCTOber 5, 2022 * Exclusive to candidates in Brock’s PJ and JI programs * *$50.00 * Limited to 100 participants* F2F * Hands-on*

As the world of teaching continues to evolve, one of the most challenging and rewarding curriculum areas to teach are the Arts: Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts. Join us for a full day of in-person, professional learning for the junior grades (4-6).  

Now in its 12th year, the Arts Matter conference explores current and emergent themes related to arts education. These artful and tech-inspired, conference workshops are part of a research study involving professional development. Sessions will be recorded for research purposes. (You do not have to participate in the research. This is optional.)

This is a dynamic, hands-on, day of professional learning.

Day at a Glance

Following opening remarks, begin with a dynamic plenary session. Next, move through four 75-minute workshops (groups of 25 participants) led by field-based clinicians. End with a Q&A. Leave with access to a set of online resources, knowing new colleagues, and an experience to add to your co-curricular transcript. 

• 8:30 Welcoming remarks and keynote. A brief positioning of the day and preparation for learning together.
• 9:30 Breakout workshops. Interactive sessions focused on practical and pedagogical realities of teaching each discipline online. Be prepared to move, make music, and work with your hands. You will attend four workshops in groups of 25 colleagues: Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts.
• 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch
• 4:00 Bringing it all together. Your questions, comments and learnings as well as closing remarks from clinicians.  

About the Clinicians & WORKSHOPS

DANCE

Dr. Maureen Connolly is a Professor of Physical Education and Kinesiology in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University. Maureen’s academic interests include curriculum, stressed embodiment, dance & movement education, and Freirian approaches to teaching and learning. Her theoretical dispositions are semiotic, phenomenological, post/ anti-colonial, anti-ableist, irreverent and quixotic.

DRAMA

Lori Sherritt-Fleming is the award-winning co-author of the Hungry For… Math, Science, Arts Engineering and Technology poetry picture book series. A Brock graduate and internationally trained actor, she founded the Tickle Trunk Players Theatre for Literacy Troupe and has performed at the Vancouver and Surrey International Children’s Festivals. An Arts Educator with ArtStarts in Schools, Vancouver Biennale, Learning Through the Arts and independently for three decades, Lori has partnered with thousands of teachers to integrate arts across the curriculum.

MUSIC

Dorothy Vreeswyk-Kidd is an accomplished trumpet player, educator and conductor. After graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor, Dorothy lived in Edmonton for many years. She taught music and history (Social Studies) at Harry Ainlay High School. She was also involved in curriculum development in Social Studies with the Alberta Ministry of Education. This led to opportunities working with McGraw-Hill to produce textbooks for the new Alberta Social Studies curriculum. Dorothy is currently Head of Music at John F Ross in Guelph and her bands and ensembles have won many awards and gold standards at Festivals throughout Ontario. Dorothy has introduced an Electronic composition course and created a recording/electronic arts studio at Ross. She believes that students should have the opportunity to access music in a variety of ways and works collaboratively with other teachers to weave music and arts into English, Science and History. Dorothy also believes that music technology provides exciting opportunities to address issues with equity and diversity and gives students more opportunities to express themselves.

VISUAL ARTS

Lee Martin is a teacher with the District School Board of Niagara and a Sessional Instructor with the Faculty of Education, Brock University. An award-winning educator, Lee empowers students to see themselves as makers of tomorrow and seeks to reach every learner. An education consultant who has supported educators and companies internationally, Lee is a passionate advocate of equity in education and demonstrates this commitment through his COMPUTERS4CHANGE charity which seeks to empower students and educators across Canada.

Notes:
1. It is perfectly acceptable to have a beverage (tea/water/etc.) and/or snack during sessions, but be mindful of the impact your eating/drinking has on the activity you are engaged in and the experience of your co-learners.
2. This event is part of a research project undertaken by faculty within the Department of Educational Studies, please see details regarding this research and your participation.

“The Arts Matters Conference is a great way to extend the limited time we get to spend in the arts courses. It was a very fun experience with lots of practical ideas and resources to help you become prepared for teaching the arts. Having the opportunity to mingle with talented and experienced educators was a pleasure! During the breaks, meeting with organizations and purchasing more resources was something to take advantage of as well! To top it all off the moving one-woman performance piece was an experience I will never forget!”

-Lauren B.

“For the past two days I’ve had both the pleasure and privilege to volunteer at the 5th annual Arts Matter: Integrating the Arts Across the Curriculum conference, and am writing this statement with great enthusiasm and support for this wonderful event. From the fantastic Keynote by Dr. Larry Swartz, to the dynamic performance of The Spirit of Harriet Tubman performed by Leslie McCurdy, I saw first hand how engaging and relevant each and every facet of these two days were, and how beneficial they will be for the teacher candidates’ future pedagogical practices. The workshops provided an incredible amount of information, suggestions, and resources on arts-based pedagogies for the participants. As part of my duties, I got to check in with every presentation and saw the students on their feet learning, creating, playing, and engaging with such arts based activities as dance, music, and drama, all of which were rooted in relevant Ontario curriculum. Through my conversations with the students after the presentations, I can say with confidence that each person left the workshops feeling excited and prepared to use the arts in his/her future classroom. Not only were the workshops well planned, but also the Arts team that ran this conference behind the scenes were very organized and efficient, and the entire two days ran smoothly without any problems. I recommend this event to any teacher candidates who are looking to incorporate the arts into their classroom, or want to know more about arts-based pedagogy, and I also recommend volunteering at this conference to any graduate student looking to gain experience working on a conference environment.”

-Mary C.