Professional Development

Leap Artists and Architects are invited to participate in professional development workshops with leading facilitators in the field of education. These hands-on workshops are designed to increase teaching skills, maintain a high level of professionalism in the classroom and foster the Leap community of art educators. Leap offers two series of workshops: Leap 101 and an advanced series focusing in-depth on topics for the teaching artist.

Leap 101:

Leap 101 is required for all Leap Artists and Architects and covers:  

	Leap policies and procedures, including: residency process and structure, contracts and budgeting for materials.
	Best practices for teaching artists, including: how to balance multiple residencies; how to build successful and positive collaborations with classroom teachers and challenging students to use creativity.

Advanced workshops:

Our current series of advanced workshops are facilitated by Lorie Hammond, Ph.D. and Crystal Olson, Ed.D. from California State University Sacramento, Department of Education. Topics include:

	Teaching with the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards
	Working with diverse populations
	Classroom management and group dynamics
	Teaching all learners including students with special needs and English learners
	Curriculum integration through creative projects
	Early childhood education and development
	Arts pedagogy

Leap professional development workshops are funded through a grant from the Clarence E. Heller Foundation.

If you would like any more information on Leap's Professional Development program, please contact us.