Professional Development
Professional development is an integral aspect of a teacher’s vocation. As educators further their own understanding of the teaching and learning of dance through professional development opportunities, they add to their knowledge base as a resource for their students.
Professional Development Resources
- Americans for the Arts
- Americans for the Arts “is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America.” It is an extensive resource for all areas of the arts. Professional development is one of its five Action Areas.
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- BalletMet Columbus
- BalletMet Columbus has an Education Page on their website with multiple resources for teachers. BalletMet’s Professional Development Program “uses curriculum aligned with the Ohio Department of Education dance and other core subject content standards.”
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- Center for Arts-Inspired Learning
- Center for Arts-Inspired Learning
is the nation’s leading source of arts-in-education services. CAL’s mission and goal is to help make the arts an essential part of young people’s education. CAL advances the artistic and educational development of public school students by bringing young people together with professional artists of all disciplines to learn, create and participate in the arts. CAL program staff and teaching artists conduct professional development workshops for teachers tailored to meet the particular needs of an individual school or an entire school district.
- DanceUSA
- DanceUSA is a national service organization for professional dance. Its Dance/USA on Tour offers a series of professional development workshops tailored to specific community needs.
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- National Association of Schools of Dance
- The National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) “is an association of approximately 60 schools of dance, mostly at the collegiate level but also including precollegiate and community schools of dance. It is the national accrediting agency for dance and dance-related disciplines. The Association also provides information to the public.” Professional Development sessions are offered during the NASD Annual Meeting.
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- National Dance Education Organization
- The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) offers multiple levels of support for dance teachers and programs. NDEO “advances dance education centered in the arts. To this end, NDEO works with artists, educators, and administrators in all environments where dance is taught. This includes private and public schools of dance, professional preparation programs, outreach programs of performing arts and community/cultural centers, PreK-12 institutions, and colleges and universities. NDEO offers professional development, service and leadership at local, state and national levels.” NDEO holds an annual Conference and “provides world-class resources (books, CDs, videos) through its On-line Store.” Membership is available for individuals and institutions.
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- US Department of Education
- The US Department of Education Arts in Education “supports the implementation of high quality professional development model programs in elementary and secondary education for music, dance, drama, and visual arts educators. Projects include professional development programs for teachers working in high-poverty schools. Designed for K–12 arts teachers, programs must focus either on the development, enhancement, or expansion of standards-based arts education programs or on the integration of standards-based arts instruction with other core academic area content.” Local Education Agencies may apply “acting on behalf of a school or schools where 50 percent of the children are from low-income families may apply in partnership with at least one of the following: an institution of higher education (IHE); a state education agency (SEA) or regional education service agency; or a public or private agency, institution, or organization including a museum, arts education association, library, theatre, or community- or faith-based organization.”
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