Professional Development
As part of the KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education program, the Midwest Trust Center offers professional development for teachers on the subject of arts integration.
The KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education, comprised of the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College, Shawnee Mission School District, and Liberty Public Schools, provides free arts integration professional development and support for teachers. The Kennedy Center defines arts integration as "an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area to meet evolving objectives in both.”
The Partners in Education team hosts professional development seminars throughout the school year, an annual Summer Symposium for Arts Integration, and manages a Teacher Leader program, which offers expanded opportunities for a select cohort of educators from both sides of the state line. We teach the teacher and are inspired by the ripple effect. When we provide an educator with innovative tools to help them in their teaching — they then provide students with engaging and memorable learning experiences.
Upcoming Workshops
Professional Development
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday,
October 3, 2026
| SMSD Center for Academic Achievement
Part of the KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education program
Professional Development
Don't Say It… SING IT! The Power of Music Education in the Elementary Classroom with Aaron Fowler
4:30-7 p.m. Monday,
October 19, 2026
| Johnson County Community College
Part of the KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education program
Professional Development
4:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday,
November 4, 2026
| Liberty Fine Arts Office
Part of the KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education program
Professional Development
Healing Through the Arts: Grief Education for Classrooms with Jennifer Danaher
4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday,
January 21, 2027
| Johnson County Community College
Part of the KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education program
Professional Development
Raising the Stakes: The Storytelling Power of Emotion in the ELA Classroom' with Story Pirates
4:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday,
February 23, 2027
| Liberty Fine Arts Office
Part of the KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education program
Professional Development
'Shape Shifters and Pattern Makers: Creating Math Through Dance' with Tanesha Payne
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday,
April 17, 2027
| TBD
Part of the KS/MO Kennedy Center Partners in Education program
