Professional Learning
Professional Learning at Luna Dance Institute
Formerly known as the California Institute for Dance Learning, Luna’s PLC is a conduit for action in the creation, expansion, and improvement of high quality, standards-based dance learning for ALL children. PLC services include entry-level through continuing education courses, arts forums, Summer Institutes, certification, coaching, internships, an extensive resource library, and the PLC website (ca-institute-dance-learning.org).
Through the PLC, Luna fulfills our mission of bringing all children to dance by providing comprehensive education and support to all who teach. Dance educators and specialists, dance teaching artists, classroom teachers (preK-12), college professors, school and arts leaders, physical education instructors and social workers bring something unique to the professional conversation. In partnership, they can deepen the knowledge and practice of dance learning for themselves, peers, community and the field. Last year, 250 artists and teachers came to Luna, in turn bringing improved dance instruction to 24,499 students.
Certification
Luna Dance Institute offers a professional certification in dance teaching that represents completion of a rigorous course of study in creative, standards-based dance education.
Learn more
Professional Learning Communities
Teaching is often an isolating endeavor, more so for dance teachers who may be isolated in the dance studio or involved as a visiting instructor. Luna provides ample opportunities for dance teaching artists to develop their own professional learning communities around topics of relevance to their work. Activities include Lesson Study sessions, Issues of Practice seminars, brunches and happy hours.
Learn more
Workshops and Summer Institutes
Luna provides many opportunities for dance teaching artists, classroom teachers and other practitioners to engage in useful inquiry in the art of teaching dance. Our workshops and seminars combine theory and practice in a practical manner that activates the imagination to improve teaching and create change in our communities. Entry level workshops, Foundations course of study and Continuing Education seminars available.
Learn more
Resources
Monthly free consultations, an extensive library and resource center and dance education forums are available for all who teach dance. Teaching practitioners may also wish to purchase Body, Mind & Spirit IN ACTION: a teacher’s guide to creative dance, written by Luna founder Patricia Reedy, to assist in curriculum development and implementation.
Learn more
Research
As a learning organization, Luna is committed to ongoing inquiry in the field of dance education. We regularly engage in action research and topic-specific investigations. Presently, we are engaged in an action research project on parent-child engagement and empathy, as well as two inquiry study groups: Dance in Middle School and Special Needs Inquiry.
Learn more
