Read how grantees are using Tietz Family Foundation resources to revitalize arts programs and train and mentor teachers.
Visual Thinking Strategies
The Tietz Family Foundation sponsored three 2nd grade NYC Public School teachers who participated in the Visual Thinking Strategies 3-year School PD Program.
The VTS School Program is a school-wide, 3-year PD model for PreK-8 schools. It is sequential and developmentally-based to reflect student growth in critical thinking, language and art-viewing skills over time.
Brooklyn Arts Council Visual Arts Residency
A Brooklyn Arts Council teaching artist collaborated with two 2nd Grade teachers and one K-2 Special Needs teacher to design and implement a program combining Visual Arts and Science at PS 147 in Brooklyn. Students focused on developing painting skills and working with themes in connection to the natural landscape and their science curriculum.
In-Service at The Teacher Resource Center at LIU
Through the generous support of the Tietz Family Foundation, LIU Brooklyn’s Teacher Resource Center (TRC) serves pre- and in-service teachers by developing their capacity to create meaningful, inquiry-based curriculum and by providing training and mentoring as they continue to grow in their teaching practice.
City Lore teaching artist Yahaya Kamate
City Lore teaching artist Yahaya Kamate worked with PS 147 students and prepared them for a culminating performance in the school auditorium. Children learned about different countries in Africa while working on storytelling through dance.
Teacher In-service Training
The Tietz Family Foundation provided funding for five teachers to attend Schools Attuned training. Teachers learn to diagnose how students learn, and how to develop differentiated strategies to communicate and teach. The program starts with working with one student each year, building to a full classroom over time.
The Port Washington Youth Council’s Teen Center — AKA “The PiT”
The Port Washington Youth Council Teen Center (called the “PiT”) was founded with the goal of improving the quality of life for young people in grades 6 – 12 who reside in Port Washington. Regular activities include martial arts, basketball, indoor skateboarding, open lounge, dodge ball, girls’ night and kickboxing.
Supporting the arts at PS 147 in Brooklyn
PS 147 is a small, inner city, Title I elementary school located in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a high-needs area where there are no cultural venues for children. Almost all of the children who attend PS 147 live in housing projects that are across Bushwick Avenue from the school.
