Practitioner Exchanges create time and space for educators to connect, build a peer community, and explore issues of practice through informal conversations facilitated by Summer Institute alumni.
Get inspired with new ideas or perspectives, ask for help with your challenges, and share your own expertise. Each month centers on a different topic and a Practitioner Exchange is often paired with workshop offerings as an opportunity to integrate and revisit information throughout the year. Practitioner Exchanges are included in the cost of workshops as follow-up discussions.
In 2023-24 Practitioner Exchanges are held on Zoom, 4:30-6pm Pacific.
2023-24 Exchanges
SEPT
28th
Restarting & Reimagining
As you get back into teaching, how are you restarting, and reimagining your curriculum, your classroom, your practice? How are you holding space for yourself and your students as artists, as co-learners, as community members? What new goals do you have for yourself for this new year? Connect and reflect with fellow dance educators in this casual conversation hosted by teaching artists Genoa Sperske and Alisa Clayton.
OCT
30th
Engaging Families & Family Dance
What new ideas can we experiment with to allow for connection, trust, and relationship-strengthening? How can creative movement support co-regulation and communication as families dance together? How can we continue involving families in dance, even when they can’t join us in the studio/classroom? How can relationship-based dance support the social-emotional learning and community building that is so important right now? Join family dance educators Julie Lebel & Rossana Alves as they ask these questions and more in this peer-to-peer conversation. Bring your questions too!
NOV
16th
Dance Leadership
Join us for a conversation exploring questions leaders in dance often ask: How can I navigate the “systems” of schools and agencies to advocate for dance learning, when they may not understand what I’m talking about? How do I broaden and deepen the impact of dance in my community beyond individual observations and experiences? How do I balance taking jobs because I need the funds, with work that is more aligned with my values? How do I build a community of allies, collaborators, and employees who believe in my vision? Bring your own questions too! Hosted by dance educator leaders Rosalina Macisco, Founder/Director of Santa Barbara Dance Institute and GiGi Tonye, Founder/Director of GiGi Tonye Arts & Fitness (Chicago).
JAN
31st
Early Childhood Idea Exchange
Let’s brainstorm together! What early ed dance ideas are you playing with right now? What do you want to try out? What do you do when you come with an idea and your students are interested in something else? What’s challenging/fulfilling in the planning, and in the moment? How do you plan and also leave space for emergent curriculum and kids’ ideas? Generate new ideas in this casual conversation with dancing preschool teachers Alma Cunningham and Myeisha Jones, and other peer dance educators.
MAR
1st
Informances & Performances
What is the purpose of school/studio dance performances? Why do we have them and who are they for? What expectations do students, parents, administrators have about performances? Can informances and alternate ways of sharing dances shift perceptions and expectations? Performances are back in full force, post-pandemic. Join teaching artist Michalea Summers (and possible other guest co-hosts) as we consider the purpose of performances, and if it’s time to do things a little differently. Bring your questions too!
MAR
13th
Dance in Special Education & Inclusion
What does accessibility and inclusion look and feel like for my students, and for me? How can we move beyond behavior and compliance into meeting kids right where they are? How can we create spaces that are welcoming to all children and how can we be flexible as needs change? Join Special Ed early educator Jessica Kershner and inclusive teaching artist Alisa Rasera for an informal conversation as they explore these questions and more.
APR
24th
Tapping into Cultural Capital as a Creative Dance Teacher
JUN
5th
Restarting & Reimagining 2.0
A return to our opening topic of the year with teaching artist co-hosts Genoa Sperske and Alisa Clayton. Reflect and celebrate what you learned, lift up what you’d like to remember, and set new goals in this casual community roundtable.
More topics to be added! Check back regularly for updates.