The NEA Learning and Leadership Grant, Funding The Creativity Workshop in NYC

Interested in learning about a grant that can fund teacher learning? What about a workshop that can help boost creativity? Let’s hear from Michelle Wagner about her experience funding the Creativity Workshop in New York City with funding from the NEA Learning and Leadership Grant!

Teaching Traveling: Michelle, tell us about your background, and the summer teacher enrichment you participated in.

M: Hello! I am from Wisconsin, but I have been teaching in Phoenix, Arizona for 19 years.  I teach high school English and Creative Writing. 

Because I just started teaching Creative Writing last year, I was interested in attending related professional development. I researched opportunities online, and discovered the Creativity Workshop in New York City. It sounded extremely interesting, and this past July, I was able to participate.

TT: Nice! What was the Creativity Workshop in NYC like?

M: The Creativity Workshop lasted from July 26-29 on Roosevelt Island, and was a wonderful experience. We learned many informative strategies to be creative each day, and participated in guided writing prompts and drawing activities.

We also learned about creative techniques that other artists and writers used. The workshop was very hands-on, and we got to know the other participants and learn of strategies that we could incorporate in our classes.

I learned various creative teaching strategies, and I met interesting people from all over the world. Most of the participants were also teachers in the session I attended. I also was interested in visiting New York City, since I had not been there before. 

TT: Wonderful! How did you fund the Creativity Workshop?

M: I applied for an NEA Learning and Leadership grant to cover the cost of the workshop, airfare, and hotel during my time at the workshop.  It was my first time applying for a grant through the NEA, but I was really interested in attending this workshop, and thought it was worth applying for the grant to pay for it. 

I am really glad I applied for the NEA grant — because it was funded! I am grateful that it allowed me to attend the Creativity Workshop, since it provided a lot of useful resources for teaching my Creative Writing class. 

TT: Fantastic. Tell us about highlights of your time learning in New York.

M: It was powerful meeting other teachers from around the world and collaborating on teaching ideas. It was also exciting spending time in New York City since I had never been there before. I even got to see Broadway performances of The Outsiders and The Great Gatsby, which were both novels I taught.

TT: I also love Broadway musicals! How did your experience with this workshop impact you as a teacher and a person?

M: My travels impacted my career since they allowed me to learn new teaching strategies and meet people from other countries. I felt refreshed and inspired after attending the workshop since the material directly related to what I taught, and I spent time with remarkable and inspiring professionals. 

The instruction by Shelley and Alejandro was phenomenal. They have been leading the Creativity Workshop sessions for thirty years!

TT: Wow! What advice do you have for other teachers who dream of travel?

M: My advice for other teachers is to research potential professional development topics that interest you. I was particularly interested in PD related to creative writing, which is how I found this workshop. 

I am a member of the union in my district, and I heard about the possibility of receiving professional development grants through the NEA, which is how I decided to apply for the Learning and Leadership Grant. 

TT: Thanks so much! Readers, what comments or questions do you have?