Adapting to Distance Learning

During this school year, our roster artists have honed their craft and are delivering live residency sessions in virtual classrooms and recorded performances that spark creativity and imagination within kids as they learn from home. Right now, it is especially important to continue reaching kids through distance learning, as this story from a public school in Concord shows:

Marcus is a third-grade student in Mrs. B’s class. Initially, Marcus was feeling discouraged to participate in teaching artist Danny Giray’s dance residency. After two virtual classes, Marcus shut down. He turned off his video so his classmates, his teacher and Danny couldn’t see him. In Danny’s quest to increase access and inclusion, he reached out to Marcus’ family through the principal. With new insights from Marcus’ mom, Danny adapted his dance lessons so that students with limited physical abilities and social anxieties would feel more comfortable participating. In Danny’s last residency session with Mrs. B’s class this week, Marcus was engaged. His video was on, he smiled, and he thanked Danny for dancing with him.

The creativity and resiliency of our artists to respond to teacher and student needs through healing-based, trauma-informed practices that encourage social-emotional learning is essential now more than ever. Going forward, students like Marcus, with often times imperceptible barriers, will feel seen and heard whether it’s within the virtual or in-person classroom.