Options and Alternatives in Education - Presenters

DrumSong: The Art & Spirit of Drumming* (pre-registration requested) Drumsong is the exploration of rhythmic resonance. A fun and empowering exploration of the art and sprit of drumming that fosters individual ability and authentic self-expression. A pathway to connect with the power of ones inner rhythm. Learn complete drum songs rooted in various cultural and contemporary rhythmic styles and patterns. Explore the foundation of the universal language of drumming , rhythm and pulse, time and tone. Geared to beginners-intermediate. No previous experience necessary. Feel free to bring a tape recorder and tapes. All hand drums and percussion welcome.

How to Make a Zine*

The creators of ‘Ey Gurl! : A Teen Zine, a teen led and teen created independent publication, will present a workshop on how they created their zine, and share their experience with you.  This will include the opportunity to create a piece of artwork, to be made into a mini-zine. Information on zine resources will also be provided.

Katherin Fernandez, Common Wealth Development & the 'Ey Gurl! Team, A Teen Zine/Project Create ( a project of Common Wealth Develeopment, Inc.) Katherin Fernandez is a youth worker and educator with Common Wealth Development. She has been working with youth in Madison, WI over the past seven years. Most recently she developed Project Create, a girl’s art group that meets once a week to develop projects like Ey Gurl! A Teen Zine. Cinnamon Rudd–Haack, Shaneiquia Conklin, Julianne Reamer, Diana Gutierrez-Meza, Precious DuPriest, Kaysandra Capps are teen members of Project Create and creators of Ey Gurl! A Teen Zine.

Mic Check: Spoken Word & the Poetics of Possibility*

Free up your pen and (re)define your reality. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to spoken word – as an art form, a pedagogy, and a community - and have the opportunity to write and share their own pieces. Whether you’ve been performing for years or have never written a verse, this is a space for you.

First Wave Spoken Word & Urban Arts Learning Community and John Healy, UW Madison OMAI First Wave empowers young people to find, develop, and share their voices through spoken word, hip-hop, and the arts. A program of the UW-Madison Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI), First Wave promotes critical literacy and positive social dialogue across boundaries of age, race, class, gender, culture, and sexual orientation.

Speak Out, Sister! Exploring Girls’ Leadership*

How do new models in girls’ leadership foster youth activism towards social change? Join Natalia Thompson and other youth leaders from Madison SOS (Speak Out, Sister!) to hear about the work of this teen-led initiative and to learn about national trends in this model for collaborative, teamwork-driven leadership. Discuss local opportunities for middle and high school young women to explore leadership, discover national resources, and share your thoughts on the future of Madison SOS’ exciting work!

Approaching the Outdoors with a Sense of Wonder

Participants will reflect on their own sense of wonder, discuss how wonder stimulates discovery learning, explore ways to help children connect with the outdoor learning environment and plan outdoor environments that nurture a sense of wonder.

Carmen Rivers, Playworks 4 Kids Carmen has spent her entire career in the field of early care and education and has hands-on experience working with children from preschool through school age. She has taught, administered early childhood programs and provided consultation on licensing, accreditation, environmental assessment tools, curriculum development, environmental design and business practices. With her BA in Early Childhood Education, Carmen will soon complete her MA in Adult and Continuing Education.

Children At Promise with the Gift of Dyslexia 

Dream Leaders/ Linus Foundation Workshop

Dreams for Kids will present its Dream Leaders youth leadership program - teams of youth from every ability, race, gender, and socio- economic background, working on cooperative service projects. Today's leaders are building bridges, breaking down barriers, connecting to the most urgent issues in local and international communities, and working together to change the world. Learn how you can join Dreams for Kids Global Village- and end the isolation of local children with disabilities and help save lives and free children from child labor in developing countries.

The Linus Foundation is a national, non-profit organization, begun and sustained by young adults, dedicated to supporting fun, innovative programs that educate and empower children, encouraging them to reach the full power of their full potential. Students will learn how to stay connected, have fun, and find opportunities to serve others while attending college and beyond.

Tom Tuohy, Dreams for Kids , and members of The Linus Foundation

See keynote presenter page for Tom Tuohy’s bio.

Fusion Moves: Yoga Tai Chi Animal Frolics™ & Creative Dance for Youth

Fusion Moves combines Yoga, Tai Chi Animal Frolics and creative dance. By blending these forms into a fluid movement experience, this workshop teaches families a way to creatively communicate through play.

Dianne Brakarsh, Moving From Within, Jonathan Garber, Yoga Community Connections, & Gerri Gurman, Tai Chi Animal Frolics™ Dianne Brakarsh has been a dancer, choreographer and movement therapist for 25 years, working with children, adolescents and adults.  Jonathan Garber is a yoga instructor working with children (with and without disabilities), teens and adults and is the executive director of the Yoga Community Connection. Gerri Gurman, a dance, drama and Tai Chi educator has taught in Madison for 35 years.  She created the Tai Chi Animal Frolics™ in 1993.

Helping Youth with Cranio-Sacral Therapy

Learn how this gentle bodywork assists children in development and with healing from everyday living issues (headaches, braces, retainers, dental work, sore muscles, insomnia. stress, etc.), sports and other injury, surgery, and birth trauma.  CranioSacral Therapy also assists children with learning disabilities, ADD. ADHD, speech problems and balance!

Karen Hoyem, CST, NCTMB, WI Certified Bodyworker Karen Hoyem, CST, NCTMB and Wisconsin Registered Bodyworker 1689-046, is a 1976 graduate of Northern Michigan University.  Since 1993, she has completed a number of Upledger Institute CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release classes leading to certification in CranioSacral Therapy techniques (CST) in August, 1996.  At Body Therapy-Complete in Madison, Karen assists clients of all ages with CranioSacral Therapy, energy, acupressure, lymph and other bodywork techniques.

Hip Hop 101:  Experiential Education for Youth

Learn about the history of Hip Hop and how it is being used in schools and after school programs as a tool for creative empowerment for youth. B-Boying, Hip Hop Dance, Scratching, Graffiti Art, and Making Beats are just a few of the components being discussed. Explore how Hip Hop is being used as a positive force for engaging kids in learning.

Arthur Richardson, Streets of Gold Productions Arthur Richardson is founder and director of Streets of Gold Productions, which provides a variety of music programs for youth. Programs consist of Presentations, Artist Development and Music Production.  Music Programs for Youth, facilitates four programs designed for schools and non profit agencies that provide educational opportunities and artistic activities during summer camps, after school programs, youth ministries and youth conferences. He is also founder and producer of the Music Media & Technology Conference at UW Madison.  Currently Arthur is in partnership with Madison School Community Recreation (MSCR), and is facilitating cultural workshops at East, Lafollette, and Shabazz High Schools, as well as Dane County Transition School.

Learn about different theoretical and organizational models for public schools, the process for developing them, and examples of them in our area.  Participate in a facilitated discussion about needs you see in public schools and how different models could be developed to address them.

Nancy Donahue, Organizer, & Lauren Cunningham Nancy Donahue and Lauren Cunningham were organizers of a charter school proposal in Madison's school district last year.  They have continued their efforts in developing options in public schools through the HOPE (Having Options in Public Education) Coalition.  HOPE offer community forums, fosters communication with the Madison school board, and supports parents, teachers, & community members committed to providing more educational options in public schools.  Nancy has experience teaching under different school models at preschool and K12 levels.  Lauren is a psychologist with an elementar- age daughter in Madison schools.

How To Start An Art Club

What is an art club? How can I start one? Who should I invite? How big should my Art Club be? How will I find the time and materials? Will I be able to keep an Art Club going? Will I have fun? These and other questions will be explored in this session.

Is Education Failing Your Child or Is Your Child Avoiding Their Insecurities?

It can be difficult to find the fine line that exists between the educational system not meeting your child’s needs or your child having low self confidence.  We often times think if we change the environment we can fix the problem.  What if the environment is not the problem, have you served your child in the best possible manner?  This workshop will focus on providing you an understanding of where your child’s insecurities exist and how you can help them overcome their under confidence.  You will leave the workshop better equipped to find learning opportunities that will help your child gain the confidence they need to succeed in life.

Delores Kokinos, The Empowerment Cafe & Children of the Future Dolores Kokinos brings over 25 years experience as a business system and human behavior analyst to her life work. Her philosophy regarding self-empowerment has helped many individuals learn how to honor themselves and achieve their goals. Based on her work and her home schooling experience, Dolores has founded The Empowerment Café and Children of the Future, holistic learning centers that teach children their self worth comes from within and not from other people. Dolores addresses issues such as low self esteem, under achievement, academic issues, violence and criminal behavior, bullying and peer pressure as a speaker and workshop presenter for The Wisconsin Department of Corrections, The National Correctional Association, The Urban League of Madison and The Wisconsin Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals and The Wisconsin Association for Mediators.

Kid Citizens: Engaging Young Children in their Neighborhoods, Communities, & the World

Staff and community partners from Madison Children's Museum will share a number of projects from the museum's Civic Engagement initiative that are designed to engage elementary-age children in their local communities and the world around them. Please come prepared to share your own projects and ideas for inspiring and empowering our youngest citizens to take action and make a difference in their communities.

Sandra Bonnici-Hoercherl and Kia Karlen, Madison Children’s Museum staff & community partners from Madison

MULTICO: Exploring Tolerance & Diversity through Acting

Multico is a touring multicultural acting company of West High School students that educates elementary/middle school kids about tolerance and diversity. The group is in its tenth year of touring elementary and middle schools with an original thirty minute production focusing on the concerns and experiences of children and adolescents in a multicultural, multilingual urban environment. MULTICO writes and performs a series of short sketches that highlight race, gender, sexuality and conflict, providing another tool for classroom teachers to use as we all work towards a more empathetic world.

Rebecca Jallings & West High School Students   2007/2008 members include: Benny Witkovsky, Brittany Dicks, Camila Borja, Corvonn Gaines, Elena Aleman, Emerson Sample, Erik Freer, Ian Tanudjaja, Joseline Nyinawabera. Jorge Selva, Kristine Larimore, Laura Althaus, Lauren Christianson, Lewey Hurd, Marcelo Garza, Mela Shah, Michael Carter, Natasha Crooks, Nick Loumas, Ryan Sandler, Sabrie Ritcherson, Sheldon Zhau, Theresa Hong, Tierney Chamberlain, Tsetan Dolqar, WahYee Cha. MULTICI is directed and created by Rebecca Jallings, West High School English teacher.           

Percussion as a Tool for Youth

Empowerment (pre-registration requested)

Prior to her career as a full-time performing artist, Ubaka Hill worked for many years in youth programs. Her experiences during those years led her to develop a curriculum for empowering youth through percussion. Today, she will share insights and ideas on bringing drumming and percussion to the youth you work with in the classroom, child care, your family or enrichment programming. All youth can benefit from and enjoy percussion – it is accessible to all through buckets, found objects and more. Drumming can provide a tool for developing focus and concentration, right/left brain integration, hand-eye coordination, and an outlet for creative self-expression. Group drumming provides opportunities for listening carefully to others, working as a team, and developing cooperation skills. Join Ubaka and invite percussion into the lives of the youth you work with! Please bring a drum, or any percussion instrument you have. No previous experience necessary.

Ubaka Hill, Drumsong Institute

(See Drumsong Workshop for Ubaka Hill’s bio)

Reaching Visual & Kinesthetic Learners

Through the years of traveling to schools and communities Chris Lutter has had a number of remarkable experiences with differently-abled learners.  These interactions have confirmed his belief that hands-on, imaginative, multi-disciplinary arts experiences are sorely lacking not just in our schools, but in day-to-day life.  Puppets are extremely effective for engaging everyone from  kids, who "can't  focus on anything" to the autistic youth who never  really vocalizes or smiles (until the puppets show-up!).

Chris Lutter, PuppetFarm Arts

Christopher Lutter-Gardella has been making masks, puppets, costumes, sets, floats and various theatrical accoutrements out of waste materials for over ten years. Chris has worked extensively in schools, libraries, community centers and other civic organizations as an artist-in-residence, and has extensive experience in facilitating broad and diverse groups of people in the process of collaborative art-making, from conceptualization through to final presentation. Recipient of the 2006 (Archibald) Bush Foundation (3M) Fellowship Grant, which provides artists with significant support to continue their work in their communities, Chris has traveled as and wide spread the love and practice of imaginative trash-transformation. He has served on the staff of the Heart of the Beast's "May Day Festival" in Minneapolis Minnesota and serves as artistic director of Puppet Farm Arts, a small non-profit arts education and resource organization.

The Social Ecology of Learning and Support for African American Children

This presentation combines two important issues for the positive development of African American children. First, we will examine characteristics of learning environments that promotes positive social identities and identities as learners, and foster solidarity among African American children. Second, we will examine the kinds of social support African American boys report experiencing, and discuss how to identify and connect supportive individuals to programs.

Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, UW Madison School of

Education  

Dr. Lewis is an ethnographer whose scholarship focuses on the cultural contexts of

childhood and the impact of culture on children’s developmental pathways. Dr. Lewis’s research examines the social ecology of learning for African American children, including developing an assets-based approach to viewing low-income African American families and communities as sources of support for the educational success of African American children.

"You Never Listen!": Communication for Connection"

We will explore an approach to communication which is based on Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg.  This will be an interactive, creative, hands-on workshop.  We will use an experiential approach to learning about conflict and empathy.  The workshop will be applicable to all areas of the particpants’ lives and will provide skills that will enable us to connect with our hearts even in challenging situations.

Keep the Arts Alive in Your Kids’ Schools:  Supporting Arts Education for Every Wisconsin Student 

Discussion with Anne Katz, Executive Director, Arts Wisconsin & Karin Wolf, Director, Madison Arts Commission.  The arts are a powerful force in education, helping students learn to think creatively, problem-solve, work well with others, and succeed as productive members of society.  Learn more about the big issues and exciting initiatives happening on the arts education front, locally and statewide, and, how you can make a difference to keep the arts in education, for your child and every Wisconsin student.