NSU Hosts Wolf Trap Institute

Courtesy of Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University hosted the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts in the Dorothy B. Brothers Auditorium of the Student Center. Wolf Trap presented their free “Wolf Trap Arts Integration Symposium: Strengthening Social Emotional Development Through the Arts” for early childhood educators from Norfolk and the surrounding area. NSU President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston was on hand to personally welcome the attendees. Wolf Trap has worked with early childhood educators nationwide for over 35 years to help them use the arts to teach and inspire.

First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne Youngkin, welcomed the group to Norfolk and to the NSU campus. She was followed by Beth Brummel, Chief Operating Officer for Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, and Jennifer Edelen, the Director of the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, in opening the symposium.

NSU Professor Dr. Sheila Ward opened the rest of the symposium, which consisted of Dylan Pritchett, a storyteller with Arts for Learning Virginia, presenting “Essential African Threads,” followed by a panel discussion titled “Strengthening Social Emotional Development Through the Arts.” Akua Kouyate-Tate, the Vice President of Education at the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, moderated the discussion. The panelists were Dr. Jacqueline Boone, an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Norfolk State University; Tracie Kunkel, Preschool Coordinator with Norfolk Public Schools; and Darlene D. M. Walker, President of the BCDI-Hampton Roads Affiliate of the National Black Child Development Institute.

After lunch, attendees went to two breakout sessions: “A Community of Movers: Encouraging and Managing Thoughtful Movement in the Classroom,” presented by Valerie Branch, Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist; and “Acting it Out! Problem-Solving with Drama,” presented by Christina Farrell, Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist.

The symposium ended with time for creative reflection with Edelen and Farrell. Participating teachers and teaching artists will receive a $50 gift card to obtain materials to support arts integration learning and instruction.

Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts—the flagship education program of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts—supports over 100,000 children and early childhood educators worldwide.