Regional Common In-Service Day
This Act 48-eligible program offers teachers a full day of interactive, gallery-based workshops and engaging discussions centered on current exhibitions. Educators will also have the opportunity to network and exchange best practices in teaching and assessment through curriculum sharing and more.
Visit the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5 (iu5) website for more information on how to register or get involved.
Breakout Sessions
Corn Husk Doll Making: The Legend of the No Face Doll
Penelope Minner
Indigenous Teaching Artist
Turtle Clan, Seneca Nation – Allegany Territory
Penelope (Penny) Minner is a fourth-generation corn husk doll and black ash splint basket maker who has been practicing her craft since 1998. For over 17 years, she has taught and demonstrated these traditional arts widely within the Seneca community and beyond. While basket making is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process that can be challenging for new students, Penny takes great joy in passing these traditions on to dedicated learners who will help keep them alive. At this year’s Regional Common In-Service Day at the Erie Art Museum, Minner’s breakout session, rooted in a celebration of her practice and heritage, will introduce participants to the art of Corn Husk Doll Making while sharing the story of The Legend of the No Face Doll.
Creating Connections: Educational Speed Dating
EAM Personnel
Share lesson plans, teaching strategies, and classroom experiences while building meaningful connections with fellow art educators! Through a series of guided prompts and discussions, participants will be encouraged to exchange ideas, reflect on best practices, and explore new approaches, fostering connection and professional networking.
Educators are encouraged to bring printed lesson plans to share /exchange. If you need printing support, please contact the Museum’s Education Manager at Alex.Anthes@Erieartmuseum.org
Land Acknowledgements in the Classroom 101
Chelle Lewis
Intersectional Specialist, Historian, Inclusive Cultural Educator
Robert Lewis
Cherokee National Treasure, Storyteller, and Inclusive Cultural Educator
Educators Chelle and Robert Lewis offer guidance on best practices for crafting an accurate Land Acknowledgement. These are important cultural statements that honor the history and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples who have lived on and stewarded North America prior to, during, and following colonization. While a wealth of information exists online, Chelle and Robert support participants in discerning what is reliable and appropriate, providing strategies for creating respectful and well-informed acknowledgements. Educators can then apply these practices in their classrooms, thoughtfully incorporating acknowledgments of Indigenous presence and contributions into their lessons.