Educator Professional Development Workshop Series

Each academic year Lane Arts Council offers a series of professional development workshops for teachers and educators focused on creative instruction, student support, and student development strategies. This is the newest programmatic element of our Creative Link arts integration program, focused on providing teachers the essential tools to bring a creative energy into their classrooms and learning environments.

For the 2023-24 school year, we are developing a roster of professional development workshops that will explore a variety of ways the arts can be impactful for teaching and learning. These workshops will be available for schools to offer directly to their staff.

To learn about the Professional Development workshops we have available, contact Ben Minnis, Arts Education Program Coordinator at artsed@lanearts.org, or call 541-485-2278.

Examples of past workshops include:

Re-Use Art & Tools for Low-Cost, High-Impact Learning

with Maiya Becker

In this workshop, participants were shown a variety of art-making strategies that utilize everyday materials like cardboard, plastics, and packaging scraps. When resources are tight or assembling material kits is a difficult task, ReUse art is a great way to engage students’ unlimited creative potential without breaking the bank. Participants learned how to give their students a creative outlet to express learning through sculpture, collage, assemblage and more!

Maiya Becker (she/her) is the past board vice president of MECCA (Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts) and a volunteer for their SELCO Saturday Kids Workshop, hosting crafty birthday parties and attending outreach events on behalf of MECCA. She has served as a Lane Arts Council teaching artist for years, bringing the joy of ReUse Art and environmental science to students across Lane County. She also teaches knitting and fiber arts at the University of Oregon Craft Center.

Mindful Reflection: Creative Strategies for Centered Learning

with Linda Burden-Williams & Alex Ever

Linda Burden-Williams and Alex Ever brought two diverse perspectives on guiding students through mindful moments of intentional reflection. Linda shared perspectives from the angle of a performing artists, engaging students in their full body through breathing and vocal exercises, written reflection, and fun games that engage the full body. Alex approached the topic from the visual arts perspective and brought ideas ranging from drawing to collage to visualization. Participants walked away with multiple exercises they can bring into their classrooms to use as morning check-ins, classroom transitions, or end-of-day reflections. They learned the power of breath, visualization, expression, and reflection in this active and centering workshop!

Linda Burden-Williams (she/her) has lived in the creative world all her life. From playing music in a Rock Band right out of High School to Acting with Prime-Time Credits and Films. She is a meditation practitioner for an international group along with an Acting and Speaking Coach. With Lane Arts Council she has served as a residency teaching artist since 2012 and a Creative Link artist since 2018. Her greatest pleasure is to inspire others to understand their own lives and minds.

Alex Ever (they/them) is a multi-media Queer artist who delves between traditional and digital mediums such as natural dyes, illustration, and fiber arts. Their work explores experiences of authenticity through a focus on play, tactile engagement, and the pursuit of chasing curiosity. Alex joined the Lane Arts Council teaching artist team last year supporting the artist residencies program, serving as a mentor for the Design Arts Apprenticeship program, and collaborating with teachers in the Creative Link program. They hope to empower others to find value and accessibility in making.

Thank you for supporting our Educator Professional Development 2021 Workshop Series!