U of A arts program Arkansas A+ has a history of transforming schools and has partnered with 28 throughout the state since 2011. It offers research-based, whole-school arts integration to nurture creativity in every student.
The most recent A+ schoolwide implementation started this summer at Guy-Perkins Elementary in Guy, Arkansas. The three-year collaboration between the school and A+ will evolve into a long-term partnership. A+, an outreach program in the College of Education and Health Professions, offers ongoing professional development, an intricate support network and an active research component.
The school has a high percentage of at-risk learners and a public-school rating of C. School administrators were looking for ways to increase student achievement, engage the student population and enhance the school climate for the faculty and staff by providing professional development and support. They found strategies and a collaborative partner in A+.
Susan McKinney, the school’s new co-principal for teaching and learning, is entirely on board and eager to start. “For me, classroom engagement is the number one priority, and I’m truly excited to see us grow in this area through our partnership with Arkansas A+,” she said. “I know that many people look to testing for results; however, I believe if you embrace and implement good teaching, student engagement comes naturally, and that will show in test results.”
McKinney is especially excited to implement whole-brain teaching into the school.
“I have seen the benefits of that up close and personal, and I want to support that type of teaching and learning any way that I can,” she said.
Alyssa Wilson, executive director of A+, said the whole-school process offers transformation for the faculty and students at a school. “The teachers integrate the arts into their teaching practice, and that approach can impact them for the remainder of their careers and, in turn, years of Guy-Perkins students.”
Guy-Perkins teachers participated in the program’s Summer Institute July 10-14. A team of A+ Teaching Fellows — contracted artists and educators — designed the week. Educators delved into what makes the A+ model successful, collaborated to enhance their working relationships and learned new methods for integrating the arts — visual, performing and creative writing — into their 2023-24 school year curriculum.
A+ Teaching Artists and staff also offered “Art 101” sessions during the week that introduced teachers to various art forms and techniques for easing the arts into their lessons. Teachers left knowing how to cross departments and grade levels with the skills and tools to kickstart arts integration in their classrooms. The process will continue with meetings and workshops throughout the school year.
“We had an amazing week,” McKinney said. “Our teachers painted, sculpted, built, drew, sang, acted and danced. We all learned new ways to reach our students based on multiple learning pathways and a more hands-on approach. The teachers’ feedback to the A+ team and to me was nothing short of exemplary. The teachers all spoke of a renewed spark and are genuinely excited to get started.”
McKinney credited former principal Tammy Murry, who recently retired, for initiating the process and building consensus among the elementary school’s teachers. “Her diligence and hard work definitely paid off this week,” McKinney said. “Our teachers reported that it was some of the best professional learning they had ever attended.”
The A+ Network includes schools in Arkansas, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Louisiana. Member schools report improved attendance, fewer disciplinary problems, stronger teacher satisfaction and higher levels of community and parental involvement.
