3rd Annual VAPA Liaison Day Held in Balboa Park
VAPA Liaisons from elementary schools all over San Diego Unified gathered in Balboa Park on September 12th for a powerful day of learning about the arts. Each VAPA Liaison was selected by their principal to receive all VAPA Department communications and communicate the information to their site staff, as well as benefit from this annual VAPA professional development day. During this year's VAPA Liaison Day, the VAPA Liaisons (most of whom are classroom teachers) gained new insights as to how arts education effectively transforms the lives of students.
The beginning of the day engaged the Liaisons in an informational session by VAPA Department administrators, followed by a tour of the Museum of Photographic Arts that incorporated Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS). Breakout sessions in the afternoon allowed attendees to engage in rich professional development workshops where they gained knowledge about various areas in the arts, including arts integration strategies, grant-writing, and using the arts for inclusion. While the VAPA Liaisons may have learned tools to use in their classrooms immediately, they are also responsible for sharing their learning with their colleagues.
Jerry Hager, a professional theatre artist with Arts for Learning San Diego and a retired professor from the Grossmont Community College District, captured the overarching message of the importance and value of 'arts for all' during his session on advocacy. According to his presentation, the role of each VAPA Liaison is to be the leader and voice for promoting and ensuring that arts education is equally accessible to every student in the San Diego Unified School District.
Some elementary schools still need to identify a VAPA Liaison. If you are interested in becoming the VAPA Liaison at your school, please talk to your principal.
VAPA Liaisons from elementary schools all over San Diego Unified gathered in Balboa Park on September 12th for a powerful day of learning about the arts. Each VAPA Liaison was selected by their principal to receive all VAPA Department communications and communicate the information to their site staff, as well as benefit from this annual VAPA professional development day. During this year's VAPA Liaison Day, the VAPA Liaisons (most of whom are classroom teachers) gained new insights as to how arts education effectively transforms the lives of students.
The beginning of the day engaged the Liaisons in an informational session by VAPA Department administrators, followed by a tour of the Museum of Photographic Arts that incorporated Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS). Breakout sessions in the afternoon allowed attendees to engage in rich professional development workshops where they gained knowledge about various areas in the arts, including arts integration strategies, grant-writing, and using the arts for inclusion. While the VAPA Liaisons may have learned tools to use in their classrooms immediately, they are also responsible for sharing their learning with their colleagues.
Jerry Hager, a professional theatre artist with Arts for Learning San Diego and a retired professor from the Grossmont Community College District, captured the overarching message of the importance and value of 'arts for all' during his session on advocacy. According to his presentation, the role of each VAPA Liaison is to be the leader and voice for promoting and ensuring that arts education is equally accessible to every student in the San Diego Unified School District.
Some elementary schools still need to identify a VAPA Liaison. If you are interested in becoming the VAPA Liaison at your school, please talk to your principal. 