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Professional Development

Think 360 Arts offers training and professional development in arts integration for classroom teachers, arts specialists, administrators, and cultural organizations.
professional development - group circle

2024 Institute for Creative Teaching

Institute for Creative Teaching | Join Think 360 Arts and the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) June 11th – 13th at UNC for the 2024 Institute for Creative Teaching (ICT). This 3-day learning opportunity, which is open to classroom teachers, teaching artists, and UNC students, focuses on storytelling and world-building in education. Programming will take place on Tuesday, June 11th to Thursday, June 13th from 8:00am-4:30pm daily, with additional time on June 11 for check in.

Immerse yourself in a 3-day professional learning odyssey where the themes of storytelling and world-building are at the forefront. This unique annual experience empowers you to weave narrative and imaginative elements into your teaching practice, transforming the way you approach trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive teaching, and engagement with learners of different abilities.

For the first time in the 35 years of this vital program, ICT will feature dynamic keynote speakers who are masters of storytelling through their art. Contemporary artists Virgil Ortiz and Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand will share their insights to provide a deeper appreciation of how narratives can shape learning experiences and cultural understanding.

Engage in creative exercises that not only enhance your teaching techniques but also enrich your understanding of narrative structure and fictional world creation. Dive into hands-on workshops led by professional teaching artists and seasoned practitioners, where the art of storytelling and fiction becomes a powerful tool in your educational arsenal.

Another highlight of the Institute this year is a unique learning journey with Meow Wolf, an unparalleled leader in immersive and interactive storytelling experiences. This excursion will provide you with innovative ideas and approaches to integrate into your own teaching practice.

By participating in the Institute, you will earn 24 hours of continuing education toward re-licensure, filled with imaginative and narrative-rich content. Additionally, there is an opportunity to earn 1 graduate credit hour from UNC for an additional fee.

Embrace the power of storytelling and world-building with us, and transform your teaching into an art form that captivates and educates in equal measure!

Read our ICT 2024 FAQs

Registration covers the cost of the entire program - June 11, 12, and 13. Early bird registration is available until May 1, 2024, with a cost of $155. Regular registration costs $170 and will be open until May 24, or until we reach capacity.

Yes, scholarships are available for Denver Public Schools teachers and teachers in rural areas. Please find the scholarship application HERE. Priority scholarship deadline is April 19, 2024, and the final scholarship deadline is May 10, 2024.

Meals will be on your own with the exception of morning coffee and lunch on June 11 (Day 1). Participants can bring their own food, purchase food on campus, or travel off campus to purchase food nearby.

Yes! UNC will be offering 1 graduate level credit for a small additional fee of $75. Participants interested in earning graduate credit should indicate it on their registration (513 Continuing Education), and UNC will provide more information on that process leading up to and during the Institute.  

Registration fees cover the cost of attending on all 3 days and we encourage attendees to take advantage of the variety of workshops and experiences that we’re offering as part of this year’s Institute. 

Free parking will be available on site during the Institute. Please indicate that you plan to park your car on campus when registering. We encourage people to carpool whenever possible.

Yes! You will have the option to select and pay for on-campus housing during the registration process. If you’d prefer to rent an Airbnb or hotel in the Greeley area, we can provide recommendations. 

Additional Professional Development Opportunities

Think 360 Arts assists leaders in exploring ways to create, support, and sustain educational environments that foster creativity, innovation, student engagement, and 21st-century skills. 

Custom PD | Think 360 Arts offers custom-designed programs for school faculty that support teachers’ efforts to reach every student through imaginative and alternative ways of teaching. We encourage schools’ commitment to the arts as a key component of the teaching and learning environment. Think 360 Arts will customize a program that is the right length and focus for your faculty. Sessions may include:

  • Connecting arts-integration to new Colorado Academic Standards, and 21st Century Skills
  • Hands-on workshops with professional teaching artists
  • Curriculum connections to specific content areas
  • Demonstration lessons, unit and lesson planning, and discussion
  • Aesthetic education theory and practice

Download our Professional Development One-Pager here. For more information, contact Think 360 Arts Teacher PD Manager, Elle Hong at elle@think360arts.org.