How
At a meeting in the fall of 2023, the Fine Arts Collaborative Educators Group (based in St. Louis) the conversation turned to professional learning support for arts leaders. It was noted that beyond a few administrative tracks at national level conferences, the opportunities for PD are few. It was also noted that a great deal of learning happens between and among arts ed leaders when they just get together to talk and ask "How did you handle this particular situation?" Participants shared that they learned much from peers about a variety of topics from issues related to staffing to logistics for all-district events and more. The idea to hold a first convening at the 2024 MMEA conference resulted in a session attended by 13 in-person and one virtual attendee. Dr. Kendra Franks, DESE Fine Arts Director led a portion of that session along with Rockwood School District's Megan Meier, and Parkway's Jeff Lackey, along with MAAE's Phyllis Pasley. The group's second session, April 18, 2024 will likely be followed by additional convenings. The current thinking is for gatherings, either in person/hybrid or virtual gatherings in the fall and spring, with an in-person convening as part of the January MMEA conference.  Precise times and topics to be determined.

Why?
Many times arts teachers are called to take on new administrative roles, with limited professional learning to prepare them for these new responsibilities. Navigating the challenges of staffing, professional learning, curriculum development, standards alignment, budgets, materials adoption, facilities, inventory and more can find arts leaders searching for answers. By convening this group we hope to strengthen arts education in Missouri, and increase the efficiency and efficacy of each participant's arts administrative practice.