Teaching Artists Survey to Examine Background, Roles, Opportunities

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Creative Drama in the Elementary Classroom
Darcy Hill

8/10/2012 12:11:28 PM

 I am so very interested in this brain research, although the strong positive correlation between the arts and learning is no surprise to me. Since 1981, I have been utilizing original music and drama to teach content. Presently, and for the past 20 years, I have been teaching Creative Drama full-time at my Elementary School in Rockford ,IL. I am very thankful that my school has had the wisdom and courage to maintain an incredibly complete fine arts/performing arts curriculum. We utilize creative drama, movement, and music to help us tell stories and understand history. We create huge original musicals and engage the community on behalf of projects and causes that will serve our neighborhoods and people. When Forbes Magazine listed us as the 10th most violent city in the country, we answered by creating a musical play about our hometown and collaborated with 26 different organizations and individuals, raised over $20,000. in grant money, and accepted a Mayor's Proclamation declaring "Hometown History Week." Together we celebrated our shared story, our proud past, and our promising future. Bridges were built and renewed pride was stirred. We have exciting plans for this year as well, partnering with the Community Foundation on a very special event that will again bless our city and stir our creativity. Arts serve. Arts enrich. Arts build bridges. Arts deeply enhance learning. Just wanted to share as a full-time teaching artist in an elementary school. Darcy Hill