Maria Lopes

Lopes’ innovative teaching idea, “Culturally Based Arts Program,” focuses on expanding arts and performance learning to all students in collaboration with the local community arts organization, Rehearsal for Life. The project will broaden the school’s culturally based arts curriculum by incorporating extensive art history studies with the creation of diverse art materials. This project will also address students’ SEL (Social Emotional Learning) needs by exploring their personal histories, giving them creative emotional coping skills, and providing opportunities to engage in community art.