Professional

Developme
nt
Angelica Almogela
 Changing Education Through the Arts with
Melanie Rick
In workshop, I learned a little bit more about how to integrate the arts throughout academic instruction. This workshop is
applicable to my academic, personal and professional development because as a future teacher, I enjoy learning about different ways
that I could implement art into my practice. The focus of this PD was how to integrate the arts in elementary academics. For me,
trying to ponder ways to implement the arts into the classroom is a little tricky. This is where the PD really inspired me and helped
open my mind to the possibilities of implementing arts into academics. The first take away from this workshop was learning about
portrait reading. Portrait reading is when the students are prompted with a picture; no words, and the students have to figure out
what is the meaning behind the picture or what the picture could be about. This gives students the opportunity to really think deep
about art and the meaning or messages behind it.
After learning about portrait reading from Ms. Rick, I have been implementing it into the classroom during reading. The
second take away from this workshop is there is no right or wrong when a student analyzes art. Students' will look at art differently
from you, and that's perfectly okay. Maybe a student sees something in the art piece that another student didn't see. This is where
creativity comes to light. In the PD, we were placed in breakout rooms. We had to portrait read a picture in a selected story and share
our ideas with other teachers. I remember we all had different ideas on what the story could be about based off that image. This
activity is a great way to have students share their thoughts with their peers. The third take away from this PD was learning more
about how to implement the arts in online learning. Many teachers have had to change their in-person learning instruction to online
learning. Ms. Rick gave excellent tips on how to implement the arts in online learning.
 Arts Integration in the Online Classroom with
Sean Layne
In workshop, I learned a lot of information on how to integrate the arts in an online classroom environment. At Pomaika'i
Elementary, one form of performing arts that the student use to showcase their academic knowledge is Tableau. Tableau is
essentially a drama form that students use to demonstrate their academic growth on a specific topic or concept. Because of COVID-
19, online learning has become the new norm. The main goal of this PD was for Mr. Layne to teach the staff how to implement
Tableau into their online classrooms. At first, I was skeptical, because I did not think there was a way to still implement Tableau into
an online classroom. Mr. Layne proved me wrong, and gave a lot of information on how to integrate Tableau into online learning.
The first idea was to place students in breakout rooms to plan their Tableau. If students were in person, they would have the
opportunity to physically meet with their peers. But by separating them in breakout rooms, it still gives them the opportunity to
collaborate just with their group, the only difference is it's virtual.
The second idea was to explain to each group to showcase levels as they usually would. Instead of just sitting down on their
desk at home, students are encouraged to move around and showcase high/low levels like they would if they were in-person.
Students just need to make sure they are in camera view so their peers can see them as well. The third idea was when the students
are presenting, each person that is not presenting can turn their camera off. That way, only the students that are presenting are being
seen clearly without outside distractions. In a physical classroom, groups would present individually in front of the class. By turning
off the cameras, it gives the group presenting the chance to be the spotlight. Attending this PD was beneficial for my development as
a teacher because during these unpredictable times, teachers have to adjust and find new ways to implement known strategies and
concepts to the students in an online platform.
 Fourth Grade Classroom Tableau Lesson
instructed by Sean Layne
In this workshop, I learned a lot of information on how to integrate tableau into a physical classroom, safely, during covid
times. This PD was important for me to see because previously, I attended an online PD with Sean Layne to learn about using
tableau in a virtual classroom. Now, I was able to see how to use tableau in a physical classroom, being that my students are back in
school physically. This workshop was applicable to my professional development as a student teacher at Pomaika'i Elementary
because this school is an arts integrated school. Majority everything the students participate in academically, has an arts integrated
background with it. Being a student teacher, it is important that I follow what the school expects and how they teach concepts. This
requires training and attending PD art workshops. The objective of this tableau was for students to create a tableau about an animal
or plant which includes showing the characteristics, habitat, diet, helpful/harmful aspects, and predators of the selected animal or
plant.
The three points that I took away from this workshop were; one, when having students create their tableau, it is important
that the teacher drawings/maps out how students should be structured during their tableau performances on the white board. This
allows the students to visually see for clarification and follow the structure. Second, one point that Sean Layne showcased was
placing colorful stand spots on the ground so the students knew where they could stand. The stand spots help students see where
they can stand in their group. This helps with spacing the students out because of covid distancing. Third, one big idea that I took
away was giving students a time frame to complete a task (ex. two minutes to assign roles, 3 minutes to come up with a supporting
sentence.) This helps keep students accountable. Instead of giving them 10 minutes to create a tableau, breaking it into different
parts makes sure each student knows exactly what they need to showcase and what is expected of them.
 Suicide Prevention 101 Training with Maria
Thomas
In this PD, I learned information on suicide prevention and steps to take if you, someone you know, or a student is struggling
and may turn to suicide. This workshop was applicable to my academic, personal, and professional development because suicide is
the second leading cause of dealth in the world. The first point I took away from this workshop was learning that although the
numbers for sucide in the education field (teachers, library and office staff) is low, suicide is still present. According to the CDC
(2019), 22,053 individuals in the education field died by suicide. This was an eye opener for me personally, and make me aware that
regardless of any job field, suicide is present. Majority of times, these indiviuals are dealing with a mental health crisis. From the
workshop, I was reminded that if at any time certain feelings are present and I need mental health help to reach out to different
resources. Any job is stressful, and finding ways to battle things on your own may be challenging, that's why there are different
resources to help support you.
The second point I took away from this workshop is that suicide rates are high in the age range students K-12. Making sure
as a teacher I look out for different warning signs or signs a student is in distress is important. From Maria, I learned that 95% of
indiviuals who die by suicide, show some sort of warning sign; depression, lack of interest, change in mood, etc. Keeping an eye out
for these sorts of things could potentially save a students life. The third point I learned was how to properly refer to someone who
has passed from suicide. I learned that if I were to ever refer to someone who passed, instead of saying commited suicide, you would
say "died by suicide, or passed from suicide." This workshop was not necessarily academic related, however these are things that a
teacher may be faced with in the field. I believe attending this PD helped my development.