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The Language of Trauma-Informed Teaching in Dance
Tuesday August 20, 2022 at 5:00-6:00 PM ET
The Language of Trauma-Informed Teaching in Dance focuses on being intentional about the words we weave into our pedagogy and how this practice can cultivate brave and supportive spaces. Participants can expect a mixture of lecture, contemplative practices, and discussion. The first portion of the webinar will utilize contemplative practices to make space for teachers to take time to unpack their relationship with words in their classroom and how that connects to creating a classroom culture that they feel is in alignment with the dance world they envision for the future. The second portion of the webinar will be a mini-lecture from the facilitator, Molly W. Schenck, on how language helps to embody trauma-informed pedagogy and can serve as an inroad to more concrete systemic change. Schenck will discuss language that is inclusive, neutral, asset-based, human-centered, consistent, consensual, and continuous. Extra attention will be given to consensual language as it related to tactile teaching. She will also share her definition of trauma-informed teaching and her journey to this methodology. The final portion of the webinar will be participant driven and include revisiting the previous contemplative practices as well as time for open discussion, questions, concerns, and appreciations.
Presesnted By:
The body of work by Molly W. Schenck (MFA, MEd.) is rooted in a quest to understand humans. She is fascinated with human movement - whether that a social justice movement, individuals persisting through systems, or how a body moves through space and time. She is also interested in what interrupts the full expression of movement (stress, trauma, burnout, injuries, chronic pain, etc.). This has guided the evolution of her studies and career path. She worked in higher education as an adjunct professor and administrator for ten years. She taught mind body and group fitness classes for twelve years. She specializes in the intersection of creativity and trauma and is the creator of Trauma-Informed Creative Practices. She is the founder of Grey Box Collective (an interdisciplinary, experimental, post-dramatic, trauma-informed arts organization that devises original performances around topics of social and emotional wellbeing i.e. makes weird art about tough stuff). She is the author of ‘Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices for Dance Educators’. She is a certified Trauma Support Specialist, Personal Trainer, a 500-hour experienced yoga teacher (focused on asana, pranayama, and meditation), Certified Teacher of BodyMind Dancing™, a registered somatic dance educator and a Dynamic Embodiment™ Practitioner.