Professional development for arts administrators became a true work of art during a recent session held at Rafael Hernández Elementary School. The session transformed the school into a creative hub where administrators honed their skills in evaluating and supporting arts teachers. At the heart of the session was the practice of norming—a shared approach to observing and assessing arts instruction across grade levels and arts disciplines. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions, aligning their evaluation methods as the Framework for Effective Teaching and Office of Visual and Performing Arts “Look Fors” were utilized for this norming practice. This collaborative effort set the stage for empowering teachers to thrive and inspire.
The atmosphere at Rafael Hernández Elementary was charged with the energy of possibility, as administrators embraced their roles as advocates for the arts. Through small group discussion and reflection, they explored how to provide constructive, evidence-based feedback that uplifts teachers through clear and actionable next steps while elevating student learning. Like an ensemble fine-tuning its performance, the group left inspired to foster excellence in their schools, ensuring that arts education remains a transformative force for our students.