Arts Education IDEAS is home to a philosophy supporting exceptional learning experiences for young children, elementary learners, families, communities, and mature adults. We develop imaginative ideas for educational change, committed to enriching lives and learning from birth through mature adulthood by surrounding individuals with extraordinary experiences, tapping the power of the arts, collaborating for change in education, putting people at the center of decision making, using developmentally sound evidence- and best-practices, developing materials and activities that engage minds and bodies, and modeling the democratic and equitable world we hope to live in.
aeIDEAS is in the business of making a difference through supporting the art of exceptional teaching and learning.
aeIDEAS provides a variety of programs ranging from short workshops, presentations and residencies to multi-year arts integrated initiatives. Parameters of initiatives are determined in collaboration with the stakeholders in schools, organizations, communities, and companies including media production companies. An ideal program would begin with a needs assessment leading to a proposal. Stakeholders meet to determine the scope (goals, objectives, assessment tools, budget considerations) and a timeline with benchmarks (short and long term). The plan would include arts-integration planning, initial staff (management, teachers, support staff) training, in-classroom modeling as part of the teacher professional development, on-going and robust support for change, family and/or community involvement, checkpoints for data collection and adjustments as necessary. IDEAS has developed a K-5 approach with a digital platform, Total Learning and Total Learning Digital. Therefore, blended support includes in-person and an anytime, anywhere on-line network.
Additionally, IDEAS provides oral history workshops, using Nine Rubies: Broken silence of a daughter of revolutionary Iran, by Susan Snyder and Mahru Ghashghaei, as a springboard for teaching storytelling and oral history collection, and to address topics such as stereotyping/prejudice; women’s perspectives (particularly coming-of-age issues); equity issues around socio-economic status, race and ethnicity; friendship; culture and social grouping; and more. Again, the scope of this work is determined with the hiring organization.
aeIDEAS serves learners across the age spectrum, including infant/toddlers, pre-K, elementary, middle and high school, higher education (pre- and in-service professional development), and adults/communities/seniors in formal and informal learning settings.
Reviews:
1: “Thank you for the workshop on arts education and social emotional curriculum. It was the perfect model of the hands-on, discovery learning that you encourage us to use every day.” Participant, VSA Arts/Kennedy Center Intersections conference
2: “Over the past couple of weeks I took a great deal of time to reflect on my practice as an educator and administrator and found that you were at the heart of much of my growth. Thank you for investing you in the best practices across the US and the world. You have made a huge difference and continue to make a difference to those you have touched.” – Lisa Meyer, Music Resource Teacher, Dearborn, MI Public Schools
3: “Susan Snyder (President, aeIDEAS) is a highly responsible educator, engaging students in early childhood, elementary, music and arts curricula, and integrated arts policy and practice.” Dr. Michael Cohen, The Michael Cohen Group