Andrew McMasters is an actor, director, author, and entrepreneur with more than thirty years of experience in the arts. He is a founder of a non-profit theater that he managed for twenty-five years and has worked for multiple Fortune 500 companies including Amazon, Microsoft, GE, Hasbro, Google, Valve, Nike, and Apple. McMasters serves as a lead training designer and facilitator for his company, ImprovMindset, which provides leadership development and presentation support all over the world, as well as training for team building. Known for fostering safe yet challenging learning environments, he pushes leaders to deepen self-awareness, lead with purpose, and stay agile under pressure. As the parent of two teachers, McMasters is dedicated to experiential learning, providing opportunities for self-discovery, and driving innovation in our everyday lives. His book Listening Without Agenda is available online and in bookstores everywhere. His website is www.ImprovMindset.com.
This workshop helps educators strengthen classroom connection and communication by practicing the skill of listening without agenda. Through interactive exercises, teachers will explore how to be more present, responsive, and adaptable with students, parents, and colleagues. Participants will gain practical tools to build trust, encourage engagement, and create a more supportive learning environment.
Participants will select two core classes from visual art, instrumental music, choral music, theatre, or arts integration to visit and to experience the Arts Academy learning process in action.
Amanda Galbraith is a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. For eighteen years, she served as an art educator with Bartlett City Schools in Tennessee. Galbraith has served on the Tennessee Department of Education’s subject matter expert committee, two standards revision committees, a textbook and instructional materials advisory panel, and numerous curriculum development teams. She has received the Tennessee Art Education Association’s West Tennessee Art Educator of the Year award two times—in 2011 and 2013. In 2019, Galbraith was named the Tennessee Art Education Association’s Art Educator of the Year. She is a frequent presenter at local, state, and national conferences.
Laurie Melnik Allen, Lyndhurst Chair of Excellence in Arts Education and Professor of Practice in Theatre Education at University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, oversees the UT system’s only K-12 theatre certification pathway, offering a unique opportunity for aspiring theatre educators and teaching artists.
During the afternoon session, participants will reflect on discoveries made during the core content class visits and discuss how those insights inform future plans and actions.
Frank Juárez is an award-winning art educator, curator, and arts advocate based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Known for his commitment to elevating contemporary art and supporting Wisconsin artists, Juárez has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the Midwest Artist Studios Project and the 365 Artists 365 Days Project. In addition to his roles as art department chair at Sheboygan North High School, publisher of Artdose Magazine, and editor-in-chief of SchoolArts magazine, Juárez has curated exhibitions and juried art shows throughout the Midwest. He is a national teacher leader in the National Art Education Association’s Connected Arts Networks, and the recipient of their National Teacher Leadership Award. Juárez previously served as the chair of the National Art Education Foundation. His dedication to art education and advocacy has earned him numerous additional accolades, making him a pivotal figure in Wisconsin’s art community.
Every student’s work of art has an untold story. Students perform and display art in classrooms, common areas, and in the community. What happens after a performance or a piece of art is created? Where does it go, or how does it live? Attendees will learn how to preserve their students’ creative integrity and legacy by understanding the role that art plays in society, considering misconceptions that exist in the public’s eye, and asking how a policy can impact and influence the preservation of students’ rights, which further protects students’ artistic contributions.
As the supervisor for general and choral music, dance, and theatre for the Cobb County School District, Sara Womack is filling her district with arts-rich schools by providing opportunities for student engagement, building the capacity of teachers, and partnering with community organizations to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality, sequential arts education. Previously she served as an elementary music teacher in Birmingham, and as the fine and performing arts coordinator for Atlanta Public Schools. Womack has earned three degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an EdD in music education from the University of Georgia. She achieved National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Music, served as president of the Alabama Music Educators Association and the Southern Division of the National Association for Music Education, and currently serves the Georgia Music Educators Association as president-elect.
Working together through collective action helps teachers and leaders strengthen their practice and advocate effectively for music and arts programs in a changing educational landscape. Learn practical strategies and engage in applied practice leading to greater student engagement in music and arts classrooms. Hear directly from educators who have successfully built support among colleagues, administrators, and community members.
Amanda Galbraith is a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. For eighteen years, she served as an art educator with Bartlett City Schools in Tennessee. Galbraith has served on the Tennessee Department of Education’s subject matter expert committee, two standards revision committees, a textbook and instructional materials advisory panel, and numerous curriculum development teams. She has received the Tennessee Art Education Association’s West Tennessee Art Educator of the Year award two times—in 2011 and 2013. In 2019, Galbraith was named the Tennessee Art Education Association’s Art Educator of the Year. She is a frequent presenter at local, state, and national conferences.
This summary session will invite participants to review content from the week and consider actions for its implementation and integration. Goals for this hands-on session include reflecting on the content from the week, collaborating with other participants to build on learning experiences, and connecting learning from the week to ongoing professional practice.
