TEACHER LEADER PROGRAM

The KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education Teacher Leader Program is comprised of educators of a variety of grade levels and subjects who are passionate about arts integration in the classroom. Thoughtfully selected from both sides of the state line, teacher leaders participate in high quality professional development sessions led by nationally recognized teaching artists. They also receive personalized one-on-one coaching, and serve as an ambassadors of arts integration within their school community.

What teacher leaders are saying…

“The network of support in colleagues and Teaching Artists is fantastic, as well as the opportunities to practice creative expressions through training events. I always leave arts integration workshops with new joy and a feeling of freedom through expression with others!”

TEACHER LEADER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR:

SUMMER KICK-OFF

Attend the Summer Symposium on July 15 & 16, 2025 and the Happy Hour orientation on July 15 from 4-5:30 PM

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - In person

Attend at least 2 Professional Development in-person sessions. You are encouraged to bring colleagues and friends! For rural teacher leaders, an additional virtual PD can replace an in-person one. Register for these sessions at ksmopartnersineducation.org/upcoming-events. The options are:

• Harlan Brownlee on September 25th from 12:00-3:00 PM in Liberty
    “Energize Learning Through Dance: The Many Ways to Move Through the Curriculum” | Grade levels K-12

• David Gonzalez on November 10 from 5:00-6:30 at JCCC
    “The Confluence Model of Storytelling” | Grades K-12

• Paige Hernandez on January 28th from 4:30-6:30 at KCYA
    “Props for Hip Hop” | Grades K-12

• Ryan Horrigan on February 14th from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM at JCCC
    “Reaching Students with Autism Through the Arts” | Grades K-12

• Paige Ahlenius and Kara Hettinger on March 26th from 4:30-7:30 PM at the SMSD Center for Academic Achievement
    “The Power of Creative Play: Drama & Art for Joyful, Cooperative Classrooms” | Grades PreK-3

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - virtual

Attend at least 2 virtual PD sessions. The options are:

• Missouri Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE/MAIN) meeting. To register, click the meeting date on the website https://www.moaae.org/arts-across-the-curriculum/main-missouri-arts-integration-network 

• Synchronous Saturday sessions by Focus 5 - multiple date options throughout the year. These are 90-minute Zooms. Register at artsintegrationconsulting.com/synchronous-saturday-series. Use code KSMO25-26 to waive the registration fee.

COACHING

Participate in one-on-one coaching sessions with Focus 5 artists either by Zoom or phone. Sign-ups will be sent out in early fall and again in early spring. This is 30 minutes each semester with one teaching artist of your choosing each semester. 

SHARE SESSION: 

Work individually or in groups with other teacher leaders to share an arts integration session or strategy in one of the following settings: 

• school staff meeting or PD day

• district event

• Zoom session for area teachers

• MAAE/MAIN Zoom meeting 

• other event (your idea)

We can support you in making this happen! Please reach out if you need help. When this is completed, please send a short summary and any supporting materials to Megan Rosbury at mrosbury@jccc.edu. For example, “At a school staff meeting on February 10th, I presented my ELA unit where I had students use shadow puppets to express short stories and fables. I learned this technique from Daniel at a previous symposium. I’ve attached a few slides about the process and photos.”

WRAP-UPS:

Complete a survey at the end of the school year. Submit a W9 and invoice. If all requirements are met, Teacher Leaders will receive a stipend in May or June 2026.

If you are interested in becoming a Teacher Leader please contact Carmen Eppright at ceppright@kcya.org (for school teachers in Missouri) and Kara Hettinger at karmstro@jccc.edu (for school teachers in Kansas).