Catamount Arts

Thursday, October 3, 5:30-7:30pm

Held in person at Bradford Elementary School, 143 Fairground Rd, Bradford, VT 05033

While this workshop is free, advance registration is required.

Early childhood educators should come prepared to play! In this session, Teaching Artist Alexandra Turner and ECE Expert April Zakjo will introduce participants to a wide variety of processes and materials for three-dimensional art-making in the early childhood classroom. We’ll explore recycled and upcycled materials, adhesives, household/grocery store supplies, DIY recipes for modeling materials and so much more! Topics of why and how to manage 3D art in the ECE classroom will be addressed, as well as the benefits of open-ended artmaking opportunities for young learners.

Learning Objectives:
● Participants will explore materials for sculptural art making in the early childhood setting
● Participants will plan for how to integrate and manage three-dimensional artmaking opportunities in their own early childhood classrooms
● Participants will gain an understanding of concepts of open-ended artmaking

Alexandra Turner, M.Ed. (she/her) is a teaching artist, professional development instructor, program director, and pre-doctoral fellow and Project RESILIENCY Scholar in Special Education: Social Emotional Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education, at the University of Vermont. Alexandra works with all ages in a variety of settings including public and private schools, preschools, galleries and community programs. In addition to residencies and workshops for students and community members, Alexandra works with statewide organizations to develop and lead professional development workshops for teachers, Teaching Artists, after-school and early-childhood professionals. Alexandra was an early childhood classroom teacher for over 5 years in Burlington, Vermont. She brings over ten years of experience in teaching artistry in the early childhood setting, as well as across the lifespan. Alexandra holds a BA in Studio Arts and an M.Ed. in Arts in Education.

April Zajko, M.Ed., Educational Consultant (she/her)is a seasoned early childhood educator (ECE) who draws on her nearly 25 years of classroom experience to lead meaningful and engaging professional learning opportunities for fellow ECEs. Since 2010, she has led professional development programs for thousands of early childhood educators, initially just in Vermont, and now throughout the country and beyond. April is also the founder and moderator of the Facebook group, Nature Inspired Teacher, which is an engaged group of over 18,000 educators. You can learn more about April at her website -www.natureinspiredteacher.com