Announcing a new NDEO Virtual Summit

CONNECTIONS: PreK-12 Dance Education Summit

January 20, 2024

Virtual

View CALL FOR SESSIONS

Deadline to Submit: October 27, 2023

Click here for instructions on online submission

PreK-12 dance educators reach students in ways general educators may not. We connect with our students' bodies and minds holistically - socially through the learning process, emotionally as we consistently provide affirmation and feedback, physically by sharing dance skills, and mentally when we share our vast knowledge and build confidence in our youth.

PreK-12 dance educators have the unique opportunity to build college and career ready students by capturing their attention through shared experiences, a multitude of technological integration, as well as collaborative and self-directed learning tasks allowing them to experience music and culture, new ideas and perspectives, and personal growth that they may not otherwise have the chance to enjoy.

It is not enough for us to reach the whole student by just communicating with the student. Education is a journey for all, and dance is a unifying force. Engaging with your school community, local community, and most importantly the students’ families helps develop more connection and support for not just the dancer’s body but also their mind.

For our virtual Summit for PreK-12 dance educators, we invite you to consider all the ways you connect with students through curriculum, performance, environment, technology, advocacy, and community engagement to enhance their learning. You may consider using the following guiding questions to help you frame your proposal.

Guiding Questions for your Session Proposal

• How do you grab your students' attention and maintain that connection while guiding them to participate in new learning?
• How does structured improvisation foster engagement?
• What aspects of the academic curriculum can be enriched through dance?
• What new dance learning can be directly linked to social studies, science, math, literacy, etc. curriculum?
• How do you advocate for your dancers, your program, dance education, yourself, etc.?
• How do you use communication and collaboration in your program with your students in class, your students' parents/guardians, your administration and colleagues, or your community?
• How do you use technology to offer diverse opportunities to learn for all students?
• How can you use movement to teach life skills?
• How does working in a partnership strengthen your teaching and the experience for our students?
• By engaging students in learning, how are student relationships developed?