Among the meetings, activities and professional development sessions that took place during a Superintendent’s Conference Day on Friday, March 15, at Herkimer Central School District were workshops that highlighted Herkimer classes to other local educators.
Herkimer art teacher Heather McCutcheon hosted a workshop titled “SEL in the Art Room” about social and emotional learning through artwork, and Herkimer social studies teachers Laura Scalise and Caroline Lampert hosted a workshop titled “Best Practices for the Seal of Civic Readiness” about the civics program at Herkimer.
The workshops were put on through Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Instructional Support Services with the support of Herkimer BOCES ISS Supervisor Ruth Leavitt.
During the art workshop, 18 art teachers from schools in the Herkimer BOCES region gathered at Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School. The art teachers engaged in insightful discussions about social and emotional learning and brainstormed ways to integrate it into art lessons at all grade levels, McCutcheon said.
After participating in engaging hands-on activities based on projects that have been conducted by Herkimer art students, attendees left with lesson plans, books, creative concepts, Zen gardens, affirmation coins and their own planters and plants to nurture relationships within their buildings, McCutcheon said.
A portion of the afternoon also included participating in a Zoom meeting with David Seligman of the New York State Education Department about the Individual Arts Assessment Pathway (IAAP), McCutcheon said.
During the civics workshop, 22 social studies teachers from schools in the Herkimer BOCES region, participated in a BOCES professional learning community with Scalise and Lampert. Discussions were held about all of the wonderful things being done in the Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School civics program, Scalise said. Herkimer offers a half-year civics course and a one-year high school capstone project class.
Under the guidance of Scalise and Lampert, Herkimer is leading the way among Mohawk Valley schools in embracing New York state’s civic readiness initiative. The goal is to develop students’ awareness of, enthusiasm for and practical skill-building needed to affect civic change. Last school year, three Herkimer students earned their Seal of Civic Literacy on their diploma, and three more seniors are on schedule to receive the seal this school year.
Scalise said she looks forward to continuing to grow the program because it’s a great way for students to learn how to positively influence their community.
Herkimer Central School District social studies teachers Laura Scalise and Caroline Lampert hosted a workshop titled “Best Practices for the Seal of Civic Readiness” about the civics program at Herkimer on Friday, March 15. Pictured here, local social studies teachers at the civics workshop.
Herkimer Central School District art teacher Heather McCutcheon hosted a workshop titled “SEL in the Art Room” about social and emotional learning through artwork on Friday, March 15. Pictured here, local art teachers at the art workshop.
Additional photos from the art workshop:
