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RAISE Up in Hampton City Schools

May 21, 2025 By Cindy Sherwood

“As a teaching artist, when we meet a kid, they’re a whole entire person. They have experiences and not all those experiences are pleasant, so coming to the classroom with that mindset and knowing that they carry baggage with them as do we… it’s about approaching them with compassion but also recognizing that they’re more than just their trauma.” Jackie Adonis, Arts for Learning Virginia Teaching Artist

Nancy Eason’s second grade class at Armstrong School for the Arts, where Jackie Adonis worked as a RAISE resident teaching artist.

When Jackie and A4L’s Valerie Davis worked in Hampton City Schools’ classrooms this spring, they came equipped with two years of intensive training focused on student well-being and trauma-conscious, healing-informed teaching. Their residencies were part of a five-year, multi-state initiative developed by Young Audiences/Arts for Learning (National) called Responsive Arts in Education (RAISE). The program takes teaching artists and puts them in the classroom with educators to help integrate the arts into the curriculum.

“Young people are hardwired for the arts. Arts integration training and these strategies align perfectly with learning goals for all subjects. We appreciate the efforts of Heather Goode, principal of Moton Early Childhood Center, and Dr. Tiffany Geddie-Suggs, principal of Armstrong School for the Arts, for providing unique opportunities like this in HCS,” said Kelly Dee, HCS visual and performing arts curriculum leader.

In twice-weekly sessions, Jackie Adonis worked side-by-side with Armstrong’s Nancy Eason, a second-grade teacher. The two developed lesson plans together, and Jackie established relationships with children in the class.

“The best part was watching each student’s character development over time,” Jackie said. “Seeing their progress was absolutely breathtaking. I saw shy students get out of their shell.”

Jackie demonstrated ways to integrate different aspects of theater in the classroom. Kids voted and chose a book to make into a play, which Jackie adapted and students performed in front of a large audience at an A4L community engagement night.

“We Don’t Eat Our Classmates” featured T-Rex characters and a theme of friendship. Children created the sets and costumes, with one student sewing the dinosaur tails and another student composing music for two sections of the play. Students who chose to be on stage memorized their lines, with only the narrator using a printed script.

The RAISE experience for Jackie was “more than just a play or playing some theater games with them when I was in the classroom. We were reinforcing literacy. We want to build strong learners,” she said. “We were also helping the kids explore. They get to try something new; they get to challenge themselves to go out of their comfort zones. How do they know what they’re good at unless they try something different?”

The community engagement night also highlighted Jackie in a different role, sharing her Filipino culture by teaching kids and family members Itik Itik, Dance of the Duck. Three other A4L artists— Ashley Ault, Dai Poole, and Gary Garlic—also presented rotating workshops for an estimated 250 in attendance. Click here to view pictures of the evening by J.B. Digital Photography that are free to download: https://bit.ly/RAISEArmstrongphotos

At Moton Early Childhood Center, A4L’s Valerie Davis worked twice-weekly this spring with a group of 20 four- and five-year-old children.

“I love working with the little ones,” Valerie said. “They’re like sponges and they absorb so much. I got to teach them some songs and some different ways of saying hello and goodbye in a different language. And they loved that. They eat that up. So, to see them absorb the story and then be able to give it back to me the same way I gave it to them is incredible.”

She said she always brought her drum to class, calling music the “catalyst” for engagement with these early learners.

“I’ve had students where the teacher has said the student doesn’t really participate in different activities, but when I come in, by that second day, the student who was very quiet, very shy is eager to tap that drum and to do the songs.”

Arts for Learning also hosted a community engagement night for Moton Early Childhood Center, with rotating A4L workshops by Jackie, Gary Garlic, Dai Poole, and Amanda Wallace. Click here to view and download free photos: https://bit.ly/RAISEMotonPhotos

For Valerie, implementing RAISE techniques in the classroom is more difficult when she’s there for a single session, as opposed to the longer-term residency at Moton. For Jackie, a Virginia Beach resident, the biggest challenge of her RAISE residency was a more pragmatic one that many of us can relate to: “The traffic driving to and from the Peninsula. But honestly, once I was in the classroom, everything was smooth sailing.”

Many thanks to our RAISE partner, Hampton City Schools, for their tremendous support. Plans are still being formulated for Arts for Learning’s final year of RAISE, which is described as “a five-year, multi-state project designed to address the current, urgent needs of young learners through forging a new model of development and partnership for teaching artists and school support teams, who work together on in-depth, customized, trauma-informed and culturally responsive-sustaining arts in education residencies. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.”

Young Audiences’ Melissa Gawlowski Pratt, YA’s Director of Strategic Partnerships & Network Relations, developed the RAISE initiative (pictured second from left). She met with A4L’s Aisha Noel (third from left), Valerie Davis (far right), and Moton educators to observe the program in action this spring.

We appreciate Young Audiences/Arts for Learning’s support and guidance throughout RAISE, which has included site visits for selected staff members to New Orleans and Denver, lesson plan swapping, and discussions of implementation related to evaluation and best practices.

A4L’s Anna Heywood Green and Aisha Noel (second and third from left) meet with teaching artists and educators during a site visit in October 2024 to view Young Audiences of Louisiana’s RAISE program.

Filed Under: Artist Spotlight, Arts Integration, News, Residency Tagged With: 757 arts, 757 nonprofit, Armstrong School for the Arts, Arts Ed, arts education, Arts for Learning, Arts for Learning Virginia, arts integration, arts-in-education, Hampton City Schools, Moton Early Childhood Center, Moton Elementary School, professional learning, RAISE, residency, Responsive Arts in Education, student well-being, trauma-informed education, Young Audiences

Helping Create the Change to Invest in the Arts

April 8, 2025 By Cindy Sherwood

“What do you like best about the ACT OUT theater residency?”

  • “I like acting on the stage.” Sariyah, Cradock Middle School
  • “I like the teamwork part and just coming together.” Nyla, Cradock Middle School
  • “I like coming up with a storyline/idea/concept.” Lyla, Cradock Middle School
  • “I like the scripts.” NaYomi, Cradock Middle School
  • “I got to have fun and I got to create a lot of different things.” Sania, Waters Middle School

A big round of applause for the students, artists, and educators who made our pilot theater program, ACT OUT, a success. Students performed last Friday in the Portsmouth Arts Festival Theater Showcase, demonstrating what they’d learned about acting and much more to family and friends in the audience.

In addition to the benefits to the individual students who participated, we’re thrilled that ACT OUT has jump started Portsmouth Public Schools’ plans to expand its theater program. With strong enrollment in our spring residencies at Cradock, Waters, and Churchland Middle Schools, we’ve shown the interest is there. According to Joe Harmon, Coordinator of Secondary Performing Arts, PPS is hoping to offer theater classes at all three of its high schools in the future, beyond the single one now at Churchland High School.

Teaching artist Dai Poole worked with both staff and students at Churchland and Cradock Middle Schools, where he says there’s a shared belief in the “transformative power of the arts within a well-rounded education.”

Through theater, students gain invaluable skills—teamwork, public speaking, problem-solving, memory retention, and more—that serve them both on and off the stage. Sharing my firsthand experience as a working professional helped make the dream feel tangible, and that, to me, makes it all worthwhile. I strive to be the kind of inspiration I once needed at their age.” 


 

During the twice-weekly, six-week residency, students learned introductory concepts of theater arts, including character development, improv, and stage awareness, while exploring personal strengths and creative expression.

Demonstrating what they’d learned, Waters Middle School students presented “Tales from the Enchanted Forest” at the showcase, guided by teaching artist Katherine Willet.

They designed their own costumes and then built them. Watching them come up with ideas for what they wanted to do and seeing those ideas come to life is amazing.”

Cradock students presented “Middle School Challenges” at the showcase. Teaching artist April Uhrin says students did a great job rehearsing, taking direction, and offering insight and ideas after she demonstrated different aspects of theatrical styles and storytelling during one session. And she was pleased with the growth she saw in students who participated throughout the residency.

Towards the end of our sessions, I could see the difference in their confidence along with comfort level on stage.”

“What do you like best about the ACT OUT theater residency?” 

“Everything.” John, Waters Middle School

Filed Under: ArtsEd, Program Spotlight, Residency Tagged With: 757 arts, 757 nonprofit, Arts Ed, arts education, Arts for Learning, Arts for Learning Virginia, arts integration, arts-in-education, Portsmouth Public Schools, residency, teaching artists, theater, theater arts

Remembering Jean Shackelford: An Exceptional Arts Advocate and Friend of Young Audiences of Virginia

February 3, 2025 By Cindy Sherwood

“Among her greatest joys was her 33 years of involvement with Young Audiences of Virginia! She served on the Board of Directors for numerous years and as President. She loved Young Audiences’ creative offerings annually to involve children in the arts.”  Obituary for Jean Hogge Shackelford

Arts for Learning mourns the loss while celebrating the remarkable life of Jean Shackelford, who died last month at the age of 95. Jean made a lasting contribution to arts education in Hampton Roads and Virginia as a whole.

“She had such a huge impact on arts education in Virginia. I think others have tried to fill her shoes, but I don’t think we’ve ever had such a strong advocate as Jean,” said Beth Hazelette, immediate past president of the A4L board of directors. “Her passion and her drive were to provide quality arts education programming for all students.”

Jean was a teacher and administrator in Portsmouth Public Schools for decades, and, as Beth put it, “built the program” as the supervisor of music for PPS. Beth, who served as supervisor of music for Norfolk Public Schools, considered Jean a mentor. They first met when Beth was a high school choral student and continued the relationship for decades as Beth became a teacher and later an administrator and board member for Young Audiences, where they worked side by side.

“She worked really, really hard for the students and educators of Portsmouth,” Beth said. “She was so tough, but for a good reason. She worked tirelessly to promote a program that could have easily gone by the wayside. She was a bulldog. She wouldn’t let it die. She wanted to make sure all the students in Portsmouth had opportunities in music.”

Longtime board member Minette Cooper first worked with Jean in 1975, developing and implementing programs that put teaching artists in the classroom to guide students in music, poetry, and dance. Minette credits Jean with smoothing the way to integrate the arts into the schools.

“She was a remarkable lady who accomplished so much because she could persuade people to help when probably no one else could,” Minette said. “She was a doer, a really well-informed doer who could get things done as easily as possible. She was phenomenal.”

Minette Cooper, Jean Shackelford, Judy Thaler, Susan Einhorn, and Marty Einhorn celebrate the 65th anniversary of Young Audiences of Virginia/Arts for Learning in 2019.

In addition to her work in Portsmouth, Jean was a powerful voice for arts education at the state level. She received Lifetime Achievement and Distinguished Service awards for 20 years of leadership as a member of the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA). And after she retired from Portsmouth Public Schools in 1989, her efforts continued—she served for 11 years as the legislative liaison in the General Assembly, working to establish the Virginia Coalition for Fine Arts Education that advocates for the arts across the Commonwealth. She acted as a vital communications link to VMEA about all legislation that might affect the arts.

“She had this passion not just for Portsmouth and Portsmouth school students but for music students across the state. She made sure that someone was keeping an eye on what was happening in Richmond because there were a lot of decisions being made that in the end did impact the arts,” Beth said.  Those decisions included the initial years of implementing high-stakes testing in Virginia. Beth says Jean was on the “ground floor” as Virginia created grade-specific Standards of Learning (SOLs), making sure the arts weren’t ignored amid the push to emphasize core academic subjects.

After her retirement, Jean also joined the board of directors of Young Audiences, serving multiple terms as president. As a recipient of Young Audiences’ Arts-in-Education Advocacy award, Jean was lauded for her leadership, insight, and vision. The proclamation states:

“Particularly of note is her guidance in helping us understand and utilize the Standards of Learning as a vehicle to better serve Virginia schools.”

Among other contributions as a board member, Jean helped secure new grant funding for various projects and was instrumental in helping to develop the current mission statement of “engaging and inspiring” students in and through the arts.

 “She lived her passion for arts education, she really did,” Beth said. “She led a very purpose-driven life.”

For more on Jean’s lasting contributions to arts education as well as other aspects of her life—such as eight years as an elected member of the Portsmouth City Council—please read this: Jean Hogge Obituary. We wish her family members peace in this time of mourning and express our gratitude for all Jean achieved for the students, educators, and artists of Virginia.

If you’d like to make a memorial contribution to Arts for Learning in honor of Jean, please click on this link: Donate Now

Filed Under: ArtsEd, News, Volunteer Spotlight Tagged With: arts advocate, Arts Ed, arts education, Arts for Learning, Arts for Learning Virginia, arts integration, arts-in-education, board of directors, Jean Shackelford, music education, Norfolk Public Schools, Portsmouth Public Schools, teaching artists, Young Audiences, Young Audiences of Virginia

In Their Own Words: 5th Graders Talk Lessons Learned from the Community Creators in STEAM Residency

December 19, 2023 By Cindy Sherwood

At the conclusion of the Community Creators in STEAM residency in Newport News, we talked with students about their experiences. Words that came up repeatedly were “teamwork,” “friends,” “fun,” and “help.”

Mutaz: “I learned that I can do stuff that I thought I couldn’t do. I learned that I should never give up or think that I can’t do something because I still can do it.”

Aniyla: “We worked really hard on our projects, and so I’m really proud of our group and of myself.”

Andy: “I learned if you work together, it’s better because you can get more trust and people will respect you and you get new friends. And if you do stuff together it’s faster and you can make it better and you can have a fun time while doing it.”

Arabella: “We worked together and had so much fun in the process. I think I learned more about the artistic process. You have to start with getting your plan and drawing it out… you can make a small one and then all come together and build a big one like we did here.” 

Naomi: “I learned how we can help people and how we can support our city.”

Joshua: “I learned to always keep going, even when things are going badly. Because we had little mistakes, but we got it to work.”

Aisha Noel, Arts for Learning’s Programs and Community Engagement Manager, spoke eloquently at the reception of the hard work and thought students put into the Community Creators in STEAM residency:

“The fifth-grade students at McIntosh Elementary School along with residency steward and teaching artists have spent the last nine weeks using the artistic and engineering design process to address a social issue in their community.

The students chose to focus on the issue of homelessness and build a respite for those facing housing insecurity. The items built represent what makes a house a home and what can provide people with dignity. And the students even felt that the unhoused deserve nothing less than luxurious items such as a grill, sofa, plush bed, and yes, a garden tub. These items meant that the unhoused had a respite no matter the cost. Tangible items didn’t come with a cost value but a comfort value. These basic and luxurious necessities mattered to the students. It mattered that those facing housing insecurity had a place to not only take a hot bath but also have a hot meal.

It was also important to the students that art was displayed around the house to give a sense of comfort and ownership. Throughout this project the students made intentional design choices from the color of the walls to the design layout. They wanted those facing this insecurity to feel welcomed.

Throughout this project the students were supported by the dedicated staff at Arts for Learning and dynamic speakers from Newport News Shipbuilding and the founder of Ezer Initiative. Most importantly the students were supported by their school community. It has truly been a privilege to partner with McIntosh Elementary School. The school community embraced this project as a whole. Every visit was met with admiration from staff on the student’s artwork.”

Fifth-grader Joshua says he’s now interested in becoming a shipbuilder when he grows up. And he had a profound message about his experience:

I learned you could build art out of anything.”

Enjoy this slideshow of highlights from the reception and more from the Community Creators in STEAM residency:

  • The students of the Community Creators in STEAM residency. McIntosh Elementary principal Camisha Davis is on the far right.
  • A4L's Aisha Noel, NNPS's Dr. LaQuiche Parrott, and Newport News Shipbuilding's Bea Ballard.
  • Fifth-grader Emily talks about the project at the reception.
  • Arts for Learning CEO Chris Everly speaking with Dr. LaQuiche Parrott, Director of Elementary School Leadership for NNPS.
  • The home for the unhoused that students made.
  • Teaching artist James Cooper with students.
  • Teaching artist James Cooper with students.
  • Residency steward Tiffany Murchison with students.
  • Arts for Learning's board president, Dr. Michael Geller, sitting on the sofa created by students with NNPS's Juli Street.
  • Residency steward Tiffany Murchison with students building the final design.

Thanks to the adults who guided the students: teaching artists James Cooper and Asiko-oluwa Aderin; emerging teaching artist Brandy Lee; and McIntosh residency steward Tiffany Murchison.

Arts for Learning thanks Huntington Ingalls/Newport News Shipbuilding  for underwriting this residency, which was provided at no cost to students and their families. Additional community support was provided by Newport News Public Schools Fine Arts and STEM supervisors  and the Newport News Arts Commission. 

Filed Under: Art Exhibit, ArtsEd, News, Program Spotlight, Residency Tagged With: 3D art, 757 arts, 757 nonprofit, Arts Ed, arts education, Arts for Learning, Arts for Learning Virginia, arts integration, arts-in-education, homelessness, Newport News Public Schools, Newport News Shipbuilders, residency

Story Hour with Mark Twain: Free, Family – Friendly Entertainment at the Z

November 7, 2023 By Cindy Sherwood

“The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Mark Twain

Mark Twain lives, at least for an afternoon in Virginia Beach this November. Kicking off a new Family Time Performance series at the Zeiders American Dream Theater, Arts for Learning’s Ryan Clemens will perform as his famous relative, Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain.

Clemens will present Story Hour with Mark Twain on Saturday, November 18 at 2 p.m. at the Z, located at 4509 Commerce Street in Virginia Beach.

Tickets are free at this link:
Story Hour with Mark Twain

“The Z is such a terrific place for performers like myself to offer our special gifts,” says Ryan Clemens. “I’ve been performing as Mark Twain for decades, and I’m excited to bring him to meet the good folks at Virginia Beach’s own Zeiders American Dream Theater. It’s Mark Twain as you would have met him when he came to visit our area in 1907. He’s full of tall tales, jokes, maybe a ghost story or two, and lots of playful audience banter. Whether you’re 10 years old or 110, you’re sure to enjoy an hour with my jovial, old cousin.”

Story Hour with Mark Twain is part of the Family Time Series, a partnership between Arts for Learning and the Z to provide entertaining, family-oriented programming. Future performances include Orisirisi African Folklore and Roberta Lea in February and storyteller Sarah Osburn Brady in April. Programs will be presented by Arts for Learning’s roster of professional artists who use their art forms to educate and engage audiences while actively exploring artistic traditions and cultures from around the world.

“Our artists are excited for the partnership with Zeiders American Dream Theater,” says Drew Lusher, Arts for Learning’s Artist programming Manager. “In addition to being a modern and inviting performance venue, Zeiders is an energetic organization with a mission that parallels ours. We appreciate the opportunity to pair our performing artists with their beautiful space to further engage the community and inspire creative growth.”

Arts for Learning thanks the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission, Helen G. Gifford Foundation, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts for underwriting A4L’s Family Time Series at the Z.

Filed Under: Artist Spotlight, Arts Integration, ArtsEd, News, Program Spotlight, Public Performance Tagged With: 757 arts, 757 nonprofit, Arts Ed, Arts for Learning, arts integration, arts-in-education, Mark Twain, nonprofit, public performance, Ryan Clemens, storytelling, The Z, theater, theater 757 arts, Zeiders American Dream Theater

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Main Office
Arts for Learning
420 North Center Drive
Suite 239
Norfolk, Virginia 23502

Phone: 757-466-7555

Main Office

Arts for Learning
420 North Center Drive
Suite 239
Norfolk, Virginia 23502
Phone:
757-466-7555

Arts for Learning Virginia Names New CEO to Lead Arts-in-Education Nonprofit

The Board of Directors of Arts for Learning, the Virginia Affiliate of Young Audiences, voted at its annual meeting to name Anna Heywood Green as CEO of the organization. Heywood Green has served as Interim CEO since January 1, following the retirement of former CEO Christine Everly. Prior to January, Heywood Green worked as the organization’s […]

Join the A4L Mailing List!

Sign up to receive the latest news on arts integration from Arts for Learning! Thank you for supporting arts-in-education.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Arts for Learning Virginia. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
At Arts for Learning Virginia, we’re proud to be part of the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Passport Program. While Passport holders typically receive free admission and 50% off classes at participating organizations, all our programming is always free—no discount needed. To learn more about our public events, check out our calendar of events page here.

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