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California advocacy resources: dance teachers in schools & network communities

California’s Prop 28 ensures more public school access to the arts, and 80% of Prop 28 funds will go towards hiring arts teachers. But because the dance credential is still new, there are not enough credentialed teachers to fill the positions that will open. How can we bridge the gap? What are the pathways to being credentialed in dance?

Check out these two new resources to understand your options, and share with your administrators:

Prop 28: What We Know (So Far) from Create CA

School Districts Need Arts Teachers from California County Superintendents Arts Initiative

TCAP’s (The California Arts Project) statewide and regional arts education network communities support TK–12 through post-secondary dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts educators. Their every-other-month, free virtual network sessions provide opportunities for teachers and administrators to stay informed of statewide and regional arts education news, issues, and to engage in dialogue with others on critical arts education topics. Join to expand your advocacy network! First session is September 28, more details here.

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What’s moving us: Unpacking Trauma-Informed Teaching

“Effective, trauma-informed education is a full ecosystem, not a list of strategies. While it is tempting to just look for the most effective strategies … strategies without adequate trust-building and context can easily fail.”

Jennifer Gonzalez

Trauma-informed teaching has become a hot topic these days. Cult of Pedagogy‘s recent podcast digs into it via an equity lens in its latest podcast. No surprise, connecting with students is a big part of it. Listen here and consider how these practices can exist in the dance classroom.

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Dance educator position at De Anza High School, Richmond, CA

Our friends at De Anza High School are seeking a dance educator for the 2023-24 year and beyond! Check out the job posting:

High School dance position, De Anza High School in Richmond, CA

Currently 0.67 FTE (4 classes), encompassing three levels of dance courses (Jazz Dance 1, Jazz Dance 2, Dance Production).

De Anza’s dance program strives to create well-rounded dancers, with equal emphasis on technique, traditional dance forms, and creative work / composition. The ideal candidate would have experience in one or more culturally-specific traditional dance forms; jazz dance including its history as an African-American social dance, and modern dance and/or ballet; and be comfortable with teaching the principles of choreography through improvisation.

Requirements / Qualifications:
Must currently possess a Single Subject Dance Credential (or PE Credential if issued prior to 2022). Must also be qualified to administer the California Physical Fitness Tests – if a candidate does not hold a PE credential, must pass the CSET for PE.

Specific Responsibilities:
– Teach three levels of dance courses, including Jazz Dance 1, Jazz Dance 2, and Dance Production.
– Plan classes to achieve a balanced study of concert dance technique, traditional and vernacular dance forms, and creative work / composition.
– Collaborate with colleagues in the Visual and Performing Arts department to plan and co-direct department-wide arts events including the Fall VAPA Showcase.
– Plan and direct Spring Dance Production concert.
– Organize casting and rehearsal schedule for student-choreographed dances for Spring Dance Production concert.
– Choreograph teacher-led dances for fall and spring Dance Production performances.
– Assist in locker room supervision and collaborate with PE department colleagues.

Reach out to Avilee Goodwin to express interest, agoodwin@anyways.com

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Fund arts in the classroom – visiting artist & excursion grants

Want to bring more dance into your classroom, or your classroom to more dance? Teachers in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties can apply for a Philanthropic Ventures Foundation Visiting Artist Grant of up to $500 to cover artist and material fees for TK-12 Title 1 school classrooms, or an Excursion Grant to cover up to $1,000 of expenses for field trips. Rolling deadline but apply ASAP.

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Pledge in support of The Declaration of Student Rights

CreateCA is gathering pledges to fight for every student’s right to access a comprehensive arts education, as mandated by the California Education Code. Students have already gone too long without the creative curriculum they deserve.

Take the arts education pledge! By signing the pledge you are stating that you believe in and stand for the principles outlined in The Declaration of Student Rights.

Join and sign here!

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Advocacy Spotlight – Prop 28

With Prop 28 bringing more funding to California, lots of conversations are happening about how that money could and should be spent to grow the arts in schools. Join in to learn more about this funding, and to advocate to ensure that dance is considered in the planning. As a dance educator, your voice is vital so that dance is not overlooked.

Here are some resources to discover more:

“Can $1 billion fix the problem?” article about Prop 28 and teaching artists by Elissa Miolene

Helpful info about Prop 28 from LA County Arts Collaborative

Advocacy 101 webinar – learn how to advocate for the arts to elected officials

Hosted by Americans for the Arts & Arts Action Fund

March 29, 12pm Pacific

And save the dates for:

CA Arts & Culture Summit

Hosted by Create CA & Californians for the Arts

April 17 & 18 in Sacramento

Prop 28 Mini Conference – free

Hosted by Arts Education Alliance of the Bay Area

May 11 at Oakland Museum of CA

Inspired to try some small advocacy actions?

Share your story of the impact of dance education or spread the word about arts education inequity with Create CA