In this professional learning program, TAHIRA will illuminate practices that center the stories of African Americans by offering an opportunity for participants to explore the art of storytelling and active listening. Through sharing personal recollections, TAHIRA will lay a foundation for the impact childhood relationships and family culture have on the development of the creative self. Participants will self-reflect on their own cultural traditions as they apply the foundations of creativity and artistry to their arts enhancement and integration practice.

Recommended Participants

• Educators
• Paraprofessionals
• Arts Specialists
• Principals and Supervisors

Learning Intentions

Educators will:

• Identify and share creative assets.
• Experience TAHIRA’s storytelling rooted in the African Diaspora.
• Examine TAHIRA’s story to provoke insight into the themes of othering, emotional vocabulary, imagination, resilience, critical thinking, and problem solving.
• Explore how stories are created from memories connected to objects.
• Apply language of the senses to tell a personal story.
• Identify one storytelling ritual to use in their teaching and learning practice.

YA Connections

• NJSLS-VPA: Artistic Process; Creating; Anchor Standard 1: Conceptualizing & Generating Ideas
• NJSLS-VPA: Artistic Process; Responding; Anchor Standard 7: Perceiving and Analyzing Products

Culturally Responsive Practice

Social-Emotional Learning

Professional Standards for Educational Leaders

Standard 3: Equity & Culture

When you pair this program with TAHIRA’s workshop or assembly performance, she provides teachers with the in-classroom support implementing creative teaching practices, what they have learned into practice.