“I was lucky enough to experience Baba Bomani's Teaching History through Hip Hop workshop several summers ago. After participating that fall, I couldn't wait to teach the writing strategies that I had learned. My 5th graders wrote raps to start the school year as a way to introduce themselves to each other. Then we had an open mic event and it was magical. The brainstorming strategies, the word play, the accessibility for all students to the strategies and the creativity that Bomani shares with you; brought my students an engaging and memorable experience. Some of my former students still send me copies of the raps they write. Bomani is a captivating speaker and it was by far one of the best workshops I've experienced.”
-KARIN BARTELS, 5TH GRADE, CHIEF CHARLO
"As an elementary educator with fifteen years experience, I know how challenging it is to maintain student engagement in all content areas. I also know how difficult it is to find quality, applicable professional development opportunities that meet my needs as a classroom teacher. The professional development opportunities offered through SPARK! Arts and FOCUS 5 have not only met my already high expectations, but positively exceed them in every way possible. After each course, I have a fresh set of high-quality tools that are immediately applicable and fun! Elements of each course can be integrated into many content areas, increasing student understanding of academic concepts while also significantly improving engagement and the overall quality of our lessons."
- MCPS 4TH GRADE TEACHER
"This year I had the privilege to attend SPARK! Arts workshops online. I was initially skeptical. How can someone teach ‘hands on’ art integration practices virtually? Well, they implemented it fantastically! I attended four Focus Five workshops and was impressed by all of them. They had amazing instructors, were highly organized and easy to follow, convenient with my schedule and dare I say ‘FUN?’ I have just begun introducing some of the skills I learned with my students and they are loving it. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
-SAGE WRIGHT, 4TH GRADE, RATTLESNAKE ELEMENTARY
"These trainings have added a plethora of new teaching techniques/strategies to my classroom; ones in which are increasing engagement, success, and overall behavior within each of my students. The trainings have offered me a chance to experiment with different modes of presenting information to student/teaching content standards and have (in my opinion) really enhanced my teaching as a whole. I have been able to implement them into so many parts of my day whether it be reading, writing, math, science, etc. I have taken lessons that didn’t go so well, implemented these arts trainings, and have been able to see a complete shift in understanding of the content."
-MCPS 1ST GRADE TEACHER
