SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE
ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Barnes Summer Teacher Institute is a 4-day intensive on-site experience for 20+ teachers annually.
I contribute to each year's program, inspiring teachers to see the collection in new and relevant ways.
Teachers who participate in Barnes school programs often express the desire to come back and spend more time in the galleries without their students, but their reasons vary greatly. Some teachers want inspiration for new lessons, others want to learn more about programs we offer, and many just want some private time in the galleries.
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The Summer Teacher Institute was created to meet those needs, but it also allows the School Programs staff to stretch each year to make our teaching relevant and responsive to latest topics and developments in education.
The Barnes’ annual Summer Teacher Institute takes place over 4 jam-packed days inside and outside the Barnes galleries. The School Programs team and I spend from November to June picking a theme, lining up guest speakers, researching and writing new lesson plans, and arranging a dynamic schedule for our 20-30 teachers.
My primary responsibility is creating lesson plans and experiences that touch on arts integration with other subjects as well as address our theme.
The program, it gets you excited about being here, but also bringing that knowledge and different strategies back to the classroom.
Teacher,
Barnes Summer Teacher Institute 2018
I have been part of the Summer Teacher Institute team since 2013, and in that time have built over 20 lesson plans and experiences that touch on arts integration and the unique theme of each Institute. Teachers who participate in the program are offered the opportunity to receive professional development credit and/or graduate credit for the Institute through a local accredited organization.
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This effort involves thorough and active collaboration with the rest of the School Programs team as well as internal and external partners, resulting in a rigorous and exciting program for each year’s group of teachers.
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The theme each year is thoughtfully picked by the team to address a culturally relevant topic, which has led to enriching experiences for our teachers. Past topics have touched on mental health and wellbeing, using street art as inspiration, and exploring art mediums to serve your message. The 2020 Summer Teacher Institute (though cancelled due to Covid-19) was among our most ambitious yet. Titled “Tradition, Challenge, and Change,” we lined up a series of explorations, speakers, and lessons that attended the questions:
What traditions do we uphold in our spaces and practices
(in the gallery or classroom)?
Do those traditions serve all of us and all of our students?
What can we change, add, or eliminate to make those
spaces and practices better serve ourselves and our students?
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In addition to creating lesson plans, designing activities, and researching and booking speakers, I also lead lessons in the galleries and the on-site classroom during the Institute. I am responsible for ensuring that the materials and needs of the teachers are attended to and managing my time to keep the rigorous program on track.
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The Barnes School Programs team has always received rave reviews from our participating teachers, resulting in a considerable amount of returning teachers year over year.
