Courtney Kinsey began teaching art two years ago at Canopy Oaks Elementary School following the retirement of beloved, veteran art teacher Leslie Anderson. Stepping into the shoes of a seasoned educator can be intimidating. Doing it during a global pandemic is harrowing. 

Under normal circumstances, new art teachers would have ongoing support from a community of experienced peers who could offer guidance and mentorship. During the past two years, opportunities to gather and learn from one another have been rare and all teachers have struggled with feelings of isolation. 

Recognizing this, the Council on Culture & Arts applied for and received grant funding through the Duke Energy Foundation’s Powerful Communities program to support professional development opportunities for area art teachers.

In collaboration with the art teachers themselves and the FSU Department of Art Education, COCA recently helped coordinate an in-person, multi-media bookmaking workshop. Each workshop participant received a collection of materials and tools to take with them for use in their own classrooms. 

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