Jun 01, 2023
What does the “A” in “STEAM” represent and why is it so important? Hedda Sharapahn, an early childhood education advocate who is well known for her work with Fred Rogers Institute, has likened STEAM learning for young children to “appreciating the world around us”: science nurtures a sense of wonder and curiosity in young children; technology teaches them about tools; engineering encourages creative problem solving;...
Read More
May 04, 2023
Teaching Partners from Greenbelt Children’s Center Share the Lessons They’ve Learned after 40 Years of Working in the Early Childhood Classroom For many young families with children at Greenbelt Children’s Center (GCC), located in Greenbelt, MD, preschool teachers Donna Bell Nance and Christine Grabisch aren’t simply educators and caregivers, they are their trusted partners. In fact, that partnership is a key part of GCC’s mission,...
Read More
May 03, 2023
Washington, DC Area High School Teachers Help Students Bring their Stories to the Stage with Wolf Trap’s Grants for High School Performing Arts Teachers What do you do when you don’t see your story reflected in the world around you? You tell your own story. This year’s Wolf Trap Grants for High School Performing Arts Teachers are challenging their students to do just that by...
Read More
May 02, 2023
A Conversation with Wolf Trap Teaching Artist Gabriela Cohen Meet Gabriela Cohen, a Spanish and English-speaking Wolf Trap Teaching Artist who is passionate about early childhood arts integration. With a background steeped in music, Cohen has a deep appreciation for the impact that music can have on young minds. In this interview, Cohen shares her strategies for connecting with educators and children, and offers advice...
Read More
Feb 15, 2023
When Fairfax County first grade teacher Kristin McClure first entered the field, she chose early childhood education because of the important role that high quality early learning plays in academic success. Today, McClure is an active participant with Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts’ classroom residency program, where she works closely with Wolf Trap Teaching Artists to adopt arts-integrated classroom techniques aligned...
Read More
Oct 05, 2022
If you could assume an alternate identity, what would it be? By day, Wolf Trap Teaching Artists are busy in the classroom providing professional development to early childhood educators, but during their “off” time, they use their musical talents to perform onstage to throngs of eager children and parents. Undercover rock stars? Their fans would say so! Christina Sanabria, one-half of the popular songwriting duo...
Read More
Oct 05, 2022
Interns have a year-round presence at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Each season brings a new class of students who arrive at Wolf Trap eager to gain valuable experience in all aspects of arts administration. But an internship at Wolf Trap is much more than day-to-day administrative tasks. Wolf Trap’s Internship team aims to provide interns with a fully realized vision of what...
Read More
Oct 05, 2022
How do you start your day? Wolf Trap Teaching Artists like to use short, artful “energizers” in both professional and classroom settings to promote mindfulness and help prime students for learning. Energizers also help students reflect on what they’ve learned, and can be a useful tool for self-regulation and classroom management. “An energizer serves to focus and connect the energy of the group, whet our creativity,...
Read More
Jun 03, 2022
New Category for Wolf Trap Grants for High School Performing Arts Teachers Encourages Students to Channel Commentary Through Artistic Expression How does one define peace? What does it mean to be culturally responsive, and how does one address the struggle for human rights? These questions form the basis for three compelling new projects for this year’s Grants for High School Performing Arts Teachers. Each grant,...
Read More
Jun 03, 2022
In the Lazy Days of Summer, Set Aside Some Reading Time to Build Literacy For many families, summer means beach vacations, park playdates, and pool days. For educators, it means a much-deserved break from the rigors of the classroom. But as educators and parents are stuffing their beach bags and children’s backpacks with sunscreen, goggles, and snacks, why not consider adding a book to fill...
Read More
