• Disability sensitivity and awareness
• Strategies for inclusive programming
• Arts integration in the classroom
• Developmentally-appropriate programming
• Collaboration and communication among program partners

Training is essential to quality programming
All VSA teaching artists are strongly encourage to attend to learn best practices and to become familiar with VSA’s educational programming needs and expectations.

• Enhance your skills and abilities as a VSA teaching artist
• Increase your understanding about inclusive practices in the arts
• Expand your knowledge of best practices
• Network with other artists from around the state

Artists who have contracted with VSA in the past three years will be eligible to receive a $60 payment to attend the training.

Overview
8:30 a.m. - Registrations
9 a.m. - Welcome
9:45 a.m. - Disability Sensitivity and Awareness with Paul White
11:30 a.m. - Lunch
12:30 p.m. - Workshop Session I
1:30 p.m. - Workshop Session II
2:30 p.m. - Artist Networking and Strategy Session
3:15 p.m. - Closing Remarks and Evaluations

Workshops

Session I

• Enhance Learning through Arts Integration - Julie Palkowski
  Learn how the arts can enhance and stimulate learning in a variety of subject areas.
• Multisensory Experiences in the Arts - Laura Griffin
  Discuss programming approaches that integrate multiple senses and/or disciplines to stimulate art making in everyone!

Session 2

• Designing Developmentally Appropriate Programs - Laura Griffin
  Support the ability levels of ALL of your students! Learn simple strategies to develop projects and programs that are age-appropriate and inclusive.
• Collaboration & Communication: Strategies that Work for Everyone - Panel Discussion
  Discuss the needs and interests of all program partners and share successful strategies and approaches.

Featured Presenters

Laura Griffin
Art Therapist
Rehabilitation Center of Sheboygan

Laura Griffin, MS, ATR-BC is a registered, board certified art therapist for RCS, the Rehabilitation Center of Sheboygan. She works with adults who have developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities, traumatic brain injury, autism, and chronic mental illness. She has been assisted by her two therapy dogs, Rita and Shayla, in the open studio format for over ten years and presented on animal-assisted art therapy at her national conference in November, 2006. Laura also serves as the Art Director for the annual RCS play, is chair for the annual RCS Art Show and VSA Arts of Wisconsin, and serves as the RCS Fishing Group leader. RCS has been fortunate enough to have five participants place in the VSA Arts competition six times over the last seven years.

Julie Palkowski
Coordinator of Fine Arts
Madison Metropolitan School District

Julie Palkowski is the Coordinator of Fine Arts for the Madison Metropolitan School District. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI. Prior to joining the Madison Metropolitan School District, Julie worked as an Instructional Supervisor with Non Public Educational Services, Inc in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and as a K4-8th Grade Principal. Julie has been involved with education for over 15 years serving in a number of positions including Summer Enrichment Coordinator, music teacher, vocal liaison, mentor, and Archdiocese of Milwaukee Staff Evaluation/ Professional Development Team member. She is a member of the National Staff Development Council and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Julie has facilitated several staff development activities for Madison Metropolitan School District, Non Public Educational Services, West Allis- West Milwaukee School District, Archdiocese of Milwaukee- St. Vincent Pallotti School, Milwaukee Spectrum High School, and was a guest presenter at Lakeland College and Cardinal Stritch University.

Paul White
Commity TIES Program Director
Waisman Center

Paul White has extensive experience in supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities and has been on staff at the UW-Waisman Center since 1986. Paul is the director of the program Community TIES. TIES provides positive supports to persons with developmental disabilities and emotional/behavioral challenges. Paul has developed a series of seminars on subjects related to positive behavioral supports. He has provided these seminars to thousands of providers across Wisconsin; these seminars are regularly included in the curriculum offered through the UW-Extension.