Sandy Allen

Renaissance Teacher Leaders recently returned from St. Louis, where they explored the city’s vibrant arts scene, history, architecture, and iconic landmarks as part of their grant experience. 🎭🎨🏛️ Throughout the week, educators attended live performances, visited historic sites, and experienced inspiring artistic spaces that highlighted the power of creativity and storytelling. These shared experiences sparked new ideas, strengthened connections among participants, and provided fresh inspiration to bring back to classrooms across Kentucky. We look forward to seeing how these experiences continue to influence teaching, learning, and the arts in their schools and communities. @KEDCGrants @KEDC1

This massive 3 story high painting by Anselm Keifer drew me in immediately. It's part of a 5 painting installation at the St Louis Art Museum called Becoming the Sea. "spirit is life like a river unafraid of becomingthe sea" Gregory Corso @KedcARTS @KEDCGrants

KEDC Summer Immersion Trip Day 4 Normally in a theatre you spend your time looking at the stage. But in a place like the Fabulous Fox Theatre don't forget to look up! @KedcARTS @KEDCGrants

KEDC Summer Immersion Trip Day 3 Today we toured the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Beautiful how light is captured by both Tiffany windows and glass mosaic. Which do YOU think has sunlight streaming through? @KedcARTS @KEDCGrants

KEDC Summer Immersion Trip Day 2 The Gateway Arch is iconic. There seems to be no place in the city that it cannot be seen. I have fond memories of riding to the top as a child. It's still a thrill now & I'm still amazed at this marvel of engineering. @KedcARTS @KEDCGrants

KEDC Summer Immersion Trip to St. Louis-Day 1 Our hotel was right across from Union Station, once one of the busiest railroad terminals in the world. The ferris wheel was built to commemorate the one that debuted at the 1904 Worlds Fair. Perfect symmetry. @KedcARTS @KEDCGrants

The Chautauqua presentations are always excellent. Every Kentuckian owes a debt of gratitude to the pioneers who brave the wilderness, especially women like Jemima Boone. ##KEDCgrants @KEDCGrants @KedcARTS @DrJWEvansJr @KingWendy_m

KEDC Summer Conference final Friday Randy Lanham is a phenomenal artist and encourager. His lessons show that EVERYONE can be creatively musical. And it's learned another Appalachian dance to teach my students! #KEDCgrants @KEDCGrants @KedcARTS @KingWendy_m @DrJWEvansJr

When this many teachers in one school district (and this isn't all of them) and this many teachers in one small school are all talking part, you know there's something special about the KEDC Summer Conference. @KEDCGrants @DrJWEvansJr @KingWendy_m

KEDC Summer Conference Day 4: Storytelling was the theme of the day. I really enjoyed learning the art of telling a good story from Marvin Bartlett, "Loretta Lynn" and @EdTechKelly. #KEDCgrants @KedcARTS @KEDCGrants @DrJWEvansJr @KingWendy_m

Yes, the KEDC Summer Conference is a wealth of first rate professional development. But more than that it is connecting with fellow educators. We learn with and from each other. Thank you, @KEDCGrants. @KedcARTS @DrJWEvansJr @KingWendy_m #KEDCgrants

KEDC Summer Conference Day 3! Such an eclectic group of sessions I choose: technology, story books, The Beatles, printed fabric. But that's one of the best things about Summer Conference, the variety! #KEDCgrants @KedcARTS @DrJWEvansJr @KingWendy_m @KEDCGrants

KEDC Summer Conference Day 2! Two of my favorite sessions: The Whole Musician with Jeremy Howard & Ballroom Dancing with Tia Williams. Musicianship, classroom etiquette, citizenship, personal interaction. What a great way to end the day. #KEDCgrants @KedcARTS @KEDCGrants

KEDC Summer Conference Day 2! I Connected the Dots wirh the National Quilt Museum, creating a quilt square using geometry, discovered new features in Canva AI, and solid engagement strategies that work with any subject matter. #KEDCgrants @KedcARTS @DrJWEvansJr @KingWendy_m

KEDC Summer Conference Day 1 finished with our Ky state instrument, the mountain dulcimer. Lorinda Jones and Dr. Ron Pen are a wealth of knowledge! I have dulcimers in my classroom and can't wait to use what I learned. #KEDCgrants @KedcARTS @DrJWEvansJr @KingWendy_m @KEDCGrants

KEDC Summer Conference is of to a great start! I kicked off the morning learning new folk dances with the fabulous @JamieCorneliu19, then spent time focusing on Kentucky's rich music history with Jessica Blankenship. #KEDCgrants @KedcARTS @DrJWEvansJr @KingWendy_m @KMHOF2002

Another NTI day for my students. How many @KedcARTS @KEDCGrants provided resources did I use? MusicPlayOnline, PBS Learning Media, Canva. Plus Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers, Library of Congress, & Diffit as I plan upcoming lessons. Thankful and blessed!

Another amazing PD session. @MusicTechTchr gives even the least tech savvy teachers the tools to get our digital life organized. And it's geared for must've teachers like me! Thanks @KedcARTS @KEDCGrants for providing this great resource!

Look at the joy on those kids faces! That's what Carnegie Hall Music Explorers can bring to your classroom through varied and authentic cultural experiences. I'm excited about this new resource! @KEDCGrants @KedcARTS

I'm a Diffit certified educator! Thank you @KEDCGrants @KedcARTS for introducing me to such an amazing resource. Diffit will certainly help me differentiate resources for my students.