Blanca Basurto, a second-grade dual language immersion teacher at Speas, believes that the program not only helps kids grow their vocabulary but also encourages all students to participate. She hopes the partnership continues as she has seen many benefits for her students. By incorporating more movement and allowing children to learn through art, Basurto sees a positive impact on her students and their engagement in the classroom.
Kristen O’Sullivan, an Education student at Wake Forest University, has found the Theatre in Education collaboration to be highly rewarding. In preparation for each 45-minute class, Wake Forest students meet weekly to reflect on the previous lesson, plan for the following week, and practice their science-related activities. O’Sullivan credits the strong education department at Wake Forest for promoting innovation and supporting her career goals.
Sidney Paris is another Education student at Wake Forest who finds the experience valuable. She learns from the children she teaches and enjoys seeing how happy they are to see her and receiving group hugs at the end of class. The Theatre in Education collaboration is serving as a model for the new Wake Forest Center for Literacy Education, set to launch later this year. Program leaders are also partnering with other public schools in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County to incorporate performing arts into various curriculum subjects like math, social studies, and literacy.
