TeachArtsOhio Grant

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is participating in a second year of an Ohio Arts Council program, TeachArtsOhio, working with composer/director and veteran teaching artist, Sheela Das.  In 2019, Ms. Das was nominated to the official Ohio Arts Council roster of Teaching Artists in the multi-disciplinary category.

This school year, Ms. Das is working side by side with PreK-12 educators at International Newcomers Academy, Thomas Jefferson. She shares her literacy-based music and helps students to achieve their English language learning goals through music. Over 200 original songs covering topics from science, math, social studies and language arts are being presented to students from 25 countries who are new to the United States.  Song are based on teacher-provided curriculum, Fry and Dolch sets, and are aligned with standards.

The 120-day residency includes guitar workshops, student songwriting, public performances, teacher professional development, and the instrumental rock choir, Voices for Change. Voices for Change addresses the ODE’s social and emotional learning standards.  Students write lyrics, perform music and original songs at community-wide celebrations of culture both in and outside of the school, including at the Cleveland Public Theater’s Station Hope festival in May 2019.

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is thankful for the support of the Ohio Arts Council!