Van Wezel trainings are always FREE and include certificates for professional credit hours.
Learn how to use the arts in your classroom for more engaged learning. Each workshop ties directly to school standards. Our teachers leave the workshop feeling ready to use our prepacked strategies and inspired to teach!
Upcoming Professional Development:
TEACH LIKE A MAGICIAN - Kevin Spencer
Wednesday, April 23
5:00pm- 7:30pm
Robert L. Taylor Community Complex
1845 John Rivers Street Sarasota, FL 34234
Led by renowned magician Kevin Spencer https://kevinspencerlive.com/, this training introduces educators to the MAGICIAN framework, where each letter represents a research-based practice essential for fostering an environment conducive to learning. Through interactive sessions, participants explore practical strategies that can be immediately implemented in the classroom to enhance engagement and instructional effectiveness.
All teachers attending will receive supplies to use in their classrooms. Dinner will be provided.
Moving and Playing Through Stories: An Arts-Integrated Approach to Early Learning
Presented by Gulf Coast Florida Wolf Trap Artist Jessica DiLorenzo McHugh
Wednesday, April 30
5:00pm- 7:00pm
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Immerse yourself in the magic of arts integration with Gulf Coast Florida Wolf Trap teaching artist Jessica DiLorenzo McHugh for a hands-on storytelling workshop, sponsored by Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation. Using props, creative movement, and drama strategies, you will discover how interactive storytelling experiences captivate students’ imaginations, foster self-regulation, and build essential literacy skills. Educators will leave with a new book and ready-to-use materials, empowering them to immediately bring the strategy into their preschool-aged classrooms! Dinner will be provided from 5:00pm-5:30pm with the workshop starting promptly at 5:30pm. The event will be held in the Education Center at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Staff will be available to let participants in through the administration doors on the parking lot side of the building 30 minutes prior to the event.
As a Partner in Education with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, we join with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation and the Sarasota County Schools to bring world-class master teaching artists to Sarasota for engaging and cutting-edge professional development workshops.
Learn more about the Kennedy Center Partners in Education program.