Animation Challenges: Inspiring Collaboration and Problem-Solving with Paige Whelan—Kennedy Center Workshop

How do you solve the problem of students who can’t solve their own problems? Give them problems they want to solve! In this fun animation workshop, learn how students can use simple tools like Google Slides to create GIFs or digital flip books. The catch? Animators must all finish each challenge without step-by-step instructions. They will want to try. They will want to learn from each other and from what does and does not work. Most of all, they will gain the confidence, skills, and sense of community they need to tackle future problems....together. Students can use their new animation skills to demonstrate their understanding of science, social studies, reading, and math.

The Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is designed to support local school systems by providing professional learning in the arts for teachers. Workshops are open to any area teacher or school administrator, and are a fun, valuable opportunity to gain contact hours towards Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). Inducted in 2010, the Mansfield team is one of less than 100 partnership sites in the nation, and includes: The Mansfield City Schools, The Mansfield Art Center, and The Renaissance Performing Arts Organization. The Ohio 2010 team is generously sponsored by Charles P. Hahn of Cleveland Financial, with additional funding from the Ohio Arts Council.

About Paige Whelan

Paige Whelan is a problem solver. She grew up watching her father tinker with half-built computers in the garage. He often pulled her away from rollerskating to help him with any task that required extra hands. They found new ways to accomplish goals when the first (or second) idea failed. Paige brought that problem-solving experience to her twenty year career in education. She taught preschool in Boston and then fifth grade at a Title I Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) school in Arlington, Virginia. Paige was named Teacher of the Year and became the school’s technology and arts integration specialist, designing and launching an arts-integrated technology program for the students and mentoring their teachers. She created a similar program for a middle school in her home state of California. Since then, she moved to Boise and travels as a teaching artist with the occasional return to classroom teaching to learn about current educational challenges firsthand. Paige earned her BA in Psychology from UC Davis and a Master’s in Educational Technology Leadership from Lamar University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher who is also endorsed on the John F. Kennedy Center’s National Roster of Teaching Artists. Beyond education, Paige troubleshoots family life with her husband and two kids, occasionally making time for yoga or mediocre tap dancing.

Our Sponsors

Cleveland Financial Group—Charles P. Hahn, CFP
With Support from Ohio Arts Council