Louisiana A+ Schools is a professional development model that provides training to teachers PK-12 in arts integration strategies. Training is provided by teams of LAA+ Fellows, master educators who are experts in their field. Fellows include nationally board-certified teachers, arts specialists, professional teaching artists, principals, school district administrators, and nonprofit education directors.
This month, LAA+ is featuring dance educator Cissy Whipp, one of the many exceptional Fellows who inspire teachers every day. In addition to working with LAA+, Cissy is also a Kennedy Center teaching artist and works full-time as a dance specialist at J. Wallace James Elementary in Lafayette.
Fellow Cissy Whipp holds her award for 2015 Dance Educator of the Year from the Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
We asked Cissy:
When/where did your love of dance begin? Was there anything in particular that ignited that interest?
My earliest childhood memory is of dancing - improvising to music real, or imagined. I danced down grocery store aisles to the "muzak." I did impromptu living room performances whenever my parents had company. I remember doing a surprise entrance one time when I was around 4 years old, leaping over the couch and onto the coffee table and spilling coffee all over everybody. My parents enrolled me in dance classes out of self-defense.
Where did you study?
I have a BFA in Chorographic Design from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and a MA in Dance from American University in Washington. DC. I am a life-long learner and still love taking classes. I train weekly with Acting Up in Acadiana's Theatre Company and love to drop in at Basin Arts for dance classes.
Photo of a news article from Lafayette, LA, where Cissy started a new dance company.
What prompted you to become a Kennedy Center teaching artist? How long have you worked with them?
I have been an arts-education advocate for most of my adult life and designed workshops for both teachers and students. The amazing people at Acadiana Arts Council had returned from the Kennedy Center's Partners in Education Conference in 1998 and said that my workshops were on par with what they saw and they nominated me. I went to DC and presented my "Exploring the Wetlands through Movement" workshop and they liked it. I joined their roster of Teaching Artists in 1999. I have been fortunate to be a presenter for them for 18 years now.
How long have you been an elementary school dance specialist? Why do you love to teach?
I have been an elementary dance specialist for 16 years now. I have always loved working with children. They have so much energy, enthusiasm and potential. Even when I was teaching dance at the university level, I sought out opportunities to do residencies in the schools near me. When the opportunity arose for a full time elementary dance position at the new arts school, I jumped on it.
Cissy during a solo dance performance.
Why is dance an important part of the curriculum? What benefits does dance hold for students?
Dance is so basic to us as human beings; we react and respond to the world with our bodies. Dance provides young people with skills that can be of life long value: a means of purposeful recreation, building a positive self-image, and developing their self-discipline. Children are naturally kinesthetic learners and love the opportunity to dance during the school day. It provides developmental benefits and teaches children to think and organize their thoughts in aesthetically pleasing way.
What led you to become an LAA+ Fellow?
I had heard of the work being done by the LAA+ Founding Fellows and was intrigued. I had not thought it was possible for me to join the organization because my work as a full time Dance Specialist at JW James Elementary kept me really busy. I was already working with Acting Up! In Acadiana, doing plays and traveling occasionally to lead professional development for the Kennedy Center. However, I discovered that I could fit it into my schedule. I could pull ideas from workshops I had already created both for teachers and for students.
In what ways have you seen arts integration impact teachers? Impact students?
I find that arts integration really engages students who might not otherwise be engaged. It requires them to think creatively and cooperate with others. I love seeing put on their "artist's persona" and get invested in a project. Teachers are often surprised at how some of their students really shine during an arts integrated project! It gives teachers tools to reach every student and find their strengths.
I had heard of the work being done by the LAA+ Founding Fellows and was intrigued. I had not thought it was possible for me to join the organization because my work as a full time Dance Specialist at JW James Elementary kept me really busy. I was already working with Acting Up! In Acadiana, doing plays and traveling occasionally to lead professional development for the Kennedy Center. However, I discovered that I could fit it into my schedule. I could pull ideas from workshops I had already created both for teachers and for students.
Cissy leads her students in practicing dance technique.
In what ways have you seen arts integration impact teachers? Impact students?
I find that arts integration really engages students who might not otherwise be engaged. It requires them to think creatively and cooperate with others. I love seeing put on their "artist's persona" and get invested in a project. Teachers are often surprised at how some of their students really shine during an arts integrated project! It gives teachers tools to reach every student and find their strengths.
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