Level I – Artist-Educator
A three-level certification program for artists wishing to expand their careers.
The Artist Educator Professional Training is for artists who would like to learn more about arts education or who are already engaged in arts education. This course prepares artists to work in schools and or in community settings and blends educational content and theory with a creative “laboratory” environment. Artists can experiment with applying their arts practice in education. Modules will be presented on subjects such as how people learn at different stages of life, understanding the brain, adult education, and how to develop and structure arts-based lessons that are effective and engaging for learners. Course modules include:
- School Culture and Teacher Culture
- Merging Teacher and Artist Culture
- Partnering in the Classroom (planning and partnering with a teacher)
- Classroom Management
- Teaching Tactics and Strategies
- Ages and Stages
- Learning Theories (including Multiple Intelligences)
- Arts Curriculum
- Social Studies
- Science and Math Curriculum
- Literacy Curriculum
- Working with Community and Social Service Organizations
- Lesson Planning
- The Art of Questioning
- Regional/Cultural Sensitivities
- Check for Understanding.
Prerequisite: Must be a working artist
(Fall) Tuesdays, Sept 15 – Dec 15, 2009 (7:00-9:00pm)
or
(Spring) Tuesdays, Jan 12 – Apr 20, 2010 (7:00-9:00pm) (no class Mar 16)
$600 for 14 weeks
Instructor: Sheena D. Robertson – plus additional program specialists
Sheena Robertson has a B.A. in drama from the University of Toronto. She also has a teaching degree, a Masters in Education, and teaches drama for teachers through OISE/UofT and York University. She is in much demand as a workshop facilitator – working at the school board, university and community levels, as well as through institutions such as The Royal Conservatory and Equity Showcase Theatre. She was a teacher in Regent Park for many years, and has been involved as a consultant with Pathways to Education since its inception. She is a specialist in the use of the arts to teach literacy skills, and explore issues of social justice – and since leaving classroom teaching, has focused much of her art making on giving ‘voice’ to the stories of the inner city. Through her company Whimsical Productions, she has recently directed a series of experimental ‘shorts’ focusing on the concept of ‘self’ – including a recent project with a group of Muslim girls, a documentary about Pathways to Education, and has co-directed, translated and produced a new theatrical play entitled Lizardboy (with Victor Gomez). She had a recent photographic exhibit at Metro Hall. Sheena also produced MacBeth’s Kitchen – one of the Toronto Fringe Festival’s “Best of the Fringe”. She has a number of other exciting theatre and photography projects in development – including a short film, and a children’s play.
Held at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning (The Royal Conservatory) 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Register online at www.rcmusic.ca or call 416-408-2825
Level II – Lead Artist
A three-level certification program for artists wishing to expand their careers.
This 14 week course prepares artists to work in schools and community settings, leading to the designation of “Lead Artist”. The course offers Level II modules of the three-level certification course. The Lead Artist certification course blends a sequential approach to core educational content and theory with a creative “laboratory” environment in which artists can experiment with applying their art forms to the delivery of learning outcomes. The course will focus on:
- How people learn at different stages of life
- Adult education
- Understanding the brain
- How to develop and structure arts-based lessons that are effective and engaging for learners ~ including adult learners.
Course Modules include:
- School Programming (regional and other provinces and territories)
- Administrative and Organizational Structure
- Understanding the Brain
- Adult Learning
- Workshops for Adults (Artist and Teacher Professional Development, Conferences),
- In-Class Demonstrations
- Parent and Community Presentations
- Check for Understanding (Part 2)
- Regional/Cultural Sensitivities (Part 2)
- Partnering in the Classroom (Part 2)
- Independent Module (topic selected by each participant).
Prerequisite: Must be a working artist and have completed Artist-Educator Professional Training – Level I – Artist-Educator
(Fall) Mondays, Sept 14, 2009 – Jan 11, 2010 (7:00-9:00pm) (no class Oct 12, Dec 21, 28, Jan 4)
or
(Spring) Mondays, Jan 18 – May 10, 2010 (7:00-9:00pm) (no class Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 12) $600 for 14 weeks
Instructor: Angela Elster – plus additional program specialists
Angela Elster, Vice President Academic, The Royal Conservatory, is the founder and Executive Director of Learning Through the Arts. A musician and educator by training, Angela has held positions in higher education, elementary education, and senior administration. She started her career in music studying voice at the University of Toronto and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education before undertaking graduate work at The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, receiving her Masters Degree in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in 1998. Most recently Ms. Elster graduated with a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, Research, Leadership and Training in Expressive Arts: Therapy, Education and Consulting at the European Graduate School, where she is currently completing her PhD. Her research interests include teacher change and how the arts inspire resilience.
Held at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning (The Royal Conservatory) 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Register online at www.rcmusic.ca or call 416-408-2825
