Professional development took a creative turn on Friday March 22nd as the team from Cornell University’s Johnson Museum of Art led local teachers through a day dedicated to Art and Healing. Carol Hocket, Maryterese Pasquale and post baccalaureate scholar Carina D’Urso collaborated with individuals and organizations across Cornell University to explore Art as an avenue for student and teacher wellness.
Building upon the success of last year's collaboration between TST BOCES and the Johnson Museum of Art, which focused on ancient history, this year's workshop delved into the therapeutic potential of art. Participants from Ithaca, Trumansburg, TST BOCES, and neighboring areas were immersed in an enriching experience, guided through Guadalupe Maravilla’s exhibit, "Armonía de la Esfera," (Harmony of the Sphere) by two PhD candidates from Cornell, Rodrigo Guzman-Serrano, and Leonardo Santamaria-Montero. Guzman-Serrano and Santamaria-Montero led the room in discussion, navigating the intricate layers of Maravilla's work and its implications for healing and self-expression. Through thought-provoking dialogue and interactive engagement, participants gained a deeper understanding of the exhibit's themes and discovered how art can serve as a conduit for emotional resonance and connection.
The inspiration was palpable as teachers and staff were able to collaborate with undergraduate and graduate students from Cornell as well as Ithaca based artists, scholars and professionals. The event emphasized collaboration and Linda Thoman, from TST BOCES, remarked while the art was beautiful and important, the professional development experience could be distilled into a single word: connection. Thoman continued, "Being among fellow art and/or healing educators provided a unique chance to connect with like-minded individuals—what I consider "my tribe"—whom I might not have encountered otherwise." This sentiment underscored the value of fostering a supportive network within the educational community.
This unique professional development event included a visit to the rare book and manuscript collection while Dr. Elizabeth Lyon Hall led participants through an exploration of sound and chanting as a vehicle for finding healing through harmony. Participants were provided time and space to chant, mediate and read from a variety of contemporary authors to help us discover ways that Art can be a path for expression and healing for both teachers and students.
Carol Hockett, Hintsa Family Manager of School and Family Programs at the Johnson Museum of Art, reflected on the event's success, and highlighted Cornell University's role as a valuable resource for educators. Hockett emphasized the diverse offerings tailored for K-12 classrooms and expressed her hope that educators left with a deeper understanding of the diverse units available to enrich their lesson plans.
As the workshop concluded, participants were encouraged to explore upcoming events, including future collaborations with Cornell University's Johnson Museum of Art. With a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the intersection of art and education, local educators left equipped to enrich their classrooms with innovative approaches to teaching and healing. As she left for the day, Ludi Auguestine, Social Studies Teacher at Ithaca remarked, “these days remind me of the joy of learning."
Through initiatives like these, institutions like Cornell University and TST BOCES continue to demonstrate their commitment to supporting educators and promoting holistic approaches to professional development. For upcoming events for RSS, including those with Cornell University's Johnson Museum of Art, visit tstboces.org/rss