Written by Rita Gigliotti | Edited by Danielle Bissonnette
I am thrilled to share the success of our recent three-day professional development workshop at George Mason University, Engage, Elevate, Empower: Teacher Well-Being & Artistic Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for the Performing Arts Educator. I co-organized this event with Dr. Scott Edgar.
My Vision for the Workshop
According to a study from the American Educational Research Association, since the pandemic, teachers in the U.S. are 40% more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety in comparison with healthcare workers, 20% more likely than office workers, and 30% more likely than workers in other professions like farming and military.
My goal with this workshop is to equip teachers with the tools they need to be resilient and have a sustainable, fulfilling career. Through innovative methods and strategies, educators learn actionable skills that boost student focus, engagement, and artistry and empower both teachers and students with a strong sense of Identity, Belonging, and Agency.
The Impact of the First Workshop: In Their Own Words
In July 2024, The Engage, Elevate, Empower Teacher 3-Day Well-Being Workshop took place at George Mason University. So, how did attendees feel about the information, activities, exercises, and overall process of this workshop?
We asked them to answer in one word and this is what they said:
That's right. Fulfilling. Clarity. Invigorating. Relevant. Enlightening. Empowering. These are the words educators who participated used to describe their experience in this workshop.
Now more than ever, teachers need the tools to not just survive in education, but thrive. In doing so, they strengthen our children and our communities.
Photos from the Engage, Elevate, Empower: Teacher Well-Being & Artistic Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for the Performing Arts Educator 3-Day Workshop at George Mason University
What This Workshop Still Needs: Sustainable Funding for 2025 and Beyond
This immersive workshop is designed to engage performing arts educators in enriching experiences that help them:
Integrate well-being practices into their daily routines as educators.
Develop techniques to enhance student engagement and artistic expression.
Foster a supportive and empowering learning environment through Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
We need to make such opportunities accessible and ongoing. And that's where your part matters most.
This workshop addresses the ongoing challenges music educators face everyday. By funding this workshop, you help us provide resources and materials to further implement well-being and SEL in arts education, and create scholarships to make sure that financial barriers don't hinder an educator's ability to participate in this career-changing opportunity.
We Want to Equip Music Educators in Virginia and Beyond
The plan is to reach music educators in every state. Your support enables us to expand our outreach, connecting with music educators in Virginia and beyond. Here are 3 ways your generous donation can help us make a lasting impact on arts education:
Donate Online: Visit our donation page and select Elizabeth Curtis Excellence Fund to make a secure contribution.
Sponsor a Teacher: Fund a scholarship to support an educator’s participation in our next workshop. Follow Step 1 (~$350 for an in-state educator).
Spread the Word: Share our mission with your network and help us reach more potential supporters.
This workshop is a vital professional opportunity for music educators that we want to offer again. Thank you for helping to make well-being in music education sustainable.
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