I’m a teaching artist with 19 years of experience integrating storytelling and music with Language Arts, Social Studies, Math and Science. Because I believe students learn best when their confidence is strong, I structure my programs to engage their bodies, minds and emotions in activities that are fun, clearly defined and both challenging and doable. For example: ‘This story needs gestures. Here’s how to do a gesture (now show me yours), here’s what to watch out for (let’s make large movements our audience can see), I’ll walk you through it (let’s try your gestures in a story).’

Arts education is a powerful confidence builder because it engages the whole person in imaginative problem-solving, focused discipline, inquiry, teamwork and joyful communication. My responsibility as a teaching artist is to build student confidence in their skills of observation, innovation, reflection and revision through lessons that mesh elements of storytelling and music with academic content standards. My work is strengthened by collaboration with classroom teachers, principals and other artists and through ongoing professional development.

We are all artists; we are all learners - every student, every teacher, every parent. My job is to remind us that learning is not hard and that there are skills to master and enjoy that let us step with confidence into life and be a positive influence on our evolving culture.