Moton Early Childhood Center showcases arts-integrated Pre-K residencies across HCS

This school year, Mallory Hinshaw, coordinator of Early Childhood Education received a grant to bring Coastal Virginia Wolf Trap (CVA-WT) classroom residencies to the Moton Early Childhood Education Center and to Pre-K classrooms across the school division. Wolf Trap Institute offers arts-integrated classroom residencies, professional development workshops, and family workshops that strengthen instructional practice and create joyful, active learning experiences for young children. Their approach leverages the performing arts to help educators meet their individual goals while enhancing teacher-child interactions. 

One of the teaching artists was Valerie Davis, a gifted actor, storyteller, playwright, and producer. Davis has been trained through the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning to partner with teachers and caregivers of children ages four to six to improve learning through the performing arts, using music, dance, drama, and puppetry to bring literacy and math concepts to life.

“Our students had a great time with Miss Valerie! Each day, a new part of the story was told, and students practiced retelling the story as well. It was amazing to see her reach every student in my class,” said Stephanie Reppert, Moton Pre-K teacher.

“I loved how it gave me different ideas for incorporating art into the various subjects that we teach, especially math and language arts! I love to incorporate songs and movement in class, and this program encouraged and supported that,” said Valecia Thomas, Moton Pre-K teacher. 

Students shared comments like, “I liked the spider song.” “I liked the songs and using her drum.” “I liked the egg maracas and the parade to the office.” 

The program is provided at no cost to the school division through continued funding from the Virginia Department of Education. Wolf Trap Institute is a proud VDOE Quality Improvement Partner and the flagship education program of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a not-for-profit arts organization located in Vienna, VA.