MCPS Schools and Classroom Teachers Resources

Roles and Responsibilities

Principal

1. Introduce & promote the SPARK! Program to school staff.
2. Build arts integration into school goals.
3. Approve yearly residency plans and budget.
4. Communicate with teachers about the SPARK! residency, and partner with teachers to brainstorm ideas to extend the arts integrated learning.
5. Assess the overall program effectiveness and provide suggestions for improvement.
6. Communicate with SPARK! office concerning contracting, program evaluation, and any concerns that may arise.

SPARK! Teacher Liaison

1. Be an active member of the school’s SPARK! School Working Team.
2. Attend 2 or 3 SPARK! meetings per school year.
3. Learn about SPARK! and be available to answer questions at the school.
4. Share communications from SPARK! with school’s principal, faculty, and community.
5. Share communication and feedback from the school community with SPARK!
6. Assist with the planning process for SPARK! projects, enhancements, and integrations at the school.

Classroom Teacher

1.  Collaborates with the teaching artist to identify learning targets and/or school & classroom priorities.
2. Provides materials, curriculum, vocabulary and other pertinent info to the teaching artist.
3. Actively participates in all residency activities with students and approaches the activity as on-site professional development.
4. Reinforces and supports the arts integration learning in between artist visits by reviewing activities, designing new activities, and discussing student experiences.
5. Participates in planning meetings upon request.
6. Collaborates and communicates regularly with the teaching artist, providing positive feedback and suggestions after classroom visits.
7. If appropriate, co-teach with the teaching artist to gain practice using arts integration strategies in learning.
8. Attend district PIR days in Arts Integration, when scheduled.
9. Assess the overall program effectiveness and provide suggestions for future improvement (evaluation link below).

Classroom Teacher Steps in a Residency

1. Choose an art or content standard.
2. Develop your idea with your school SPARK! Team.
3. Visit the SPARK! Teaching Artist Directory linked here, Teaching Artist Directory and contact an artist.
4. When you meet with a Teaching Artist please use the Pre-Residency Meeting Agenda & Notes form, linked here: Pre-Residency Meeting Agenda & Notes to guide your conversation. (This is simply a tool, you do not need to turn this in).
5. Please be in communication with your teaching artist regarding scheduling, materials, etc. as the residency unfolds. Enjoy an amazing experience teaching & learning through art!
6. After the Residency complete a Residency Survey/Evaluation linked here, Residency Survey/Evaluation Form