George Manierre Elementary School
Changing Worlds
Grant Amount: 10,000
Manierre is in the process of onboarding a full time arts program in the school after many years of only a half time position. This year, Manierre wants to extend impact of the arts into the general classroom to demonstrate to the classroom teachers how arts integration can be imbedded into their teaching practice. The school administration also recognizes the need for their teachers to expand their work with students to incorporate the contributions of Latino cultures in their curriculum.To meet this school wide priority, the visual arts teacher Susan Spadoro is collaborating with the 4th and 5th grade teachers to ensure that their students have a greater understanding of Mexican history, focusing on the topic of the Adelitas, a famous group of women at the turn of the 20th century that support their country’s struggle for independence.
In their formative stages of writing, the students will be energized and motivated by experiencing this 10 week program that will be offered by Changing Worlds with collaboration occurring with the teachers. The Adelita curriculum will be presented by creative writer and spoken word artist Cynthium Johnson-Woodfolk in combination with visual arts experiences led by artist Diana Solis . These artists will collaborate with the teachers to shape an integrated arts program that connects each student directly to Latinx history and the role of the women in history as well as honoring the significant role women have played in their families and as part of their own personal identity.