The Professional Development Workshop Series is a free resource of mainstages and is designed to provide important teaching tips, fundamental facilitation techniques, and professional support while growing and strengthening a network of creative educational instructors and teaching artists who work with children.
Our Workshops are interactive! We model the techniques we teach and we strive to offer creative, practical tools for making ordinary moments into meaningful opportunities for experiential education. Led by experienced youth educators, you'll learn techniques that you can apply and adapt into work with participants of all ages. You should come to a workshop prepared to share your own unique viewpoints and participate (and sometimes lead) games and activities!
The types of people who attend our workshops are diverse and include the following:
Managing Difficult Behavior
Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Location: Y of Washington Heights, 54 Nagle Ave, New York, NY 10040
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Session Description: Any experienced educator will tell you that managing a group of kids is the key to facilitating an effective lesson. In this workshop, participants will learn proven techniques to engage kids of all ages, keep them focused and avoid disciplinary action. Through positive reinforcement and setting clear expectations participants will study the tools to have kids they teach in the palm of their hands.
Learning Outcomes:
Balancing Business with Creativity: Making it as a Teaching Artist
Date: Sunday February 18, 2018
Location: Broadway Bound Kids Conference Room, 34-18 Northern Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Session Description: In this informative workshop, participants will learn what it takes to be a Teaching Artist as well as uncover the industry secrets of what Arts hiring organizations look for. You will hear from a panel of Arts Administration professionals on industry best practices and what they are looking for when hiring new educators and staff. From resume formatting, application do’s and don’ts, to interview techniques, this workshop will give you the resources to feel confident and help you land your next Teaching Artist gig.
Learning Outcomes:
Entertaining Young Children
Date: Tuesday March 27, 2018
Location: Y of Washington Heights, 54 Nagle Ave, New York, NY 10040
Time: 5pm-7pm
Session Description: Through imaginative play, creating larger than life characters, and exploring imagination, participants will learn practical tools for engaging young audiences (Pre-k to 2). Storytelling, puppetry and simple (yet effective) activities are at the center of this workshop in which the goal is for participants to better connect with and facilitate lessons for the youngest of learners.
Learning Outcomes:
