Wiregrass Museum of Art offers CEUs for educator professional development

The Wiregrass Museum of Art is offering opportunities for K-12 educators in Alabama to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for its upcoming professional development courses, as well as its studio classes and artist workshops.

Professional development courses, developed by WMA’s education director, Brook McGinnis, will be available in an asynchronous, online format for educators to complete within an 8 week period. Using Google Classroom, educators can work at their own pace to learn new skills in art education, and upon completion, will receive 8 approved CEUs. Courses will provide educators with direct training in visual arts curriculum and state standards, artmaking techniques, strategies for leading an art classroom, and relevant contextual materials, all of which can be transferred into the classroom setting.

Brook McGinnis brings 17 years of experience teaching Fine Arts courses in colleges and universities across the country, and is a former certified 6-12 ELA Teacher in Florida. Currently, she is an active, presenting member of the Alabama Art Education Association, and of the National Art Education Association.

“WMA’s professional development courses are designed to help you unleash your inner artist while you learn how to use the arts to illuminate other subjects for your students. I love helping our incredibly talented local educators realize their artistic talents and discover how easy and effective it is to integrate the arts into other subject areas,” said Brook McGinnis, WMA’s education director.

WMA’s professional development opportunities include two upcoming sessions, “Let’s Talk About Art! How to incorporate looking at and talking about art across the curriculum,” from October 17 – December 19, 2022, and “Upcycled Art: Using simple, everyday supplies to make amazing art,” from March 20 – May 22, 2023. Registration is now open for the course beginning in October, and Alabama educators can register for courses online at wiregrassmuseum.org/classes-and-workshops or by phone at 334-794-3871. Both courses are available for $30 for museum members, and $40 for not-yet members.

In addition to the professional development courses, Alabama educators will be able to receive CEUs by participating in select studio classes and/or artist workshops at WMA. WMA offers approximately five classes or workshops for adults each quarter, connecting residents directly with teaching and visiting artists to learn a wide range of skills, techniques, and methods in a relaxed studio setting, often on the weekends. Upcoming classes and workshops through the end of the year include bookmaking, mixed media and collage, writing, clay, ornament-making, and painting.

“Studio classes and artist workshops at WMA will provide opportunities for area educators to learn from a diverse range of artists and offerings. Artmaking at WMA now has the additional benefit of CEUs, so that educators can easily satisfy their professional requirements while enjoying a creative environment,” said Dana-Marie Lemmer, the museum’s executive director and curator.

WMA’s educational focus provides programs that inspire lifelong learning for all ages, from toddlers to retirees. This annual programming includes Bus on Us, a field trip partnership with Dothan City Schools and Houston County Schools which covers the cost of transportation for up to 8 school buses for each City and County school. For more information about WMA’s annual arts programming and education initiatives, call 334-794-3871 or visit wiregrassmuseum.org.