Wake Forest senior Kristen O’Sullivan has found her passion for teaching through the Theatre in Education collaboration at Speas. The program has solidified her career path as she plans to become an elementary teacher after graduation, highlighting the strength of the education department and its commitment to innovation. Each 45-minute class is carefully planned by a group of Wake Forest students who meet weekly to reflect on past lessons, plan for the upcoming week, and practice science-related activities.
Sidney Paris, an education student at Wake Forest, reflects on the rewarding experience of working with the students and learning from them after completing a class at Speas. She finds it fulfilling to engage with the community and sees the positive impact of the program on the students, who eagerly welcome her with hugs at the end of each session. The Theatre in Education collaboration is intended to set a foundation for the upcoming Wake Forest Center for Literacy Education, which is set to launch later in the year. The program leaders have also extended their partnerships to other public schools in the area to integrate performing arts into various subjects like math, social studies, and literacy, creating a holistic approach to education.
Blanca Basurto, a second-grade dual language immersion teacher at Speas, values the benefits of the program that not only helps students expand their vocabulary but also encourages participation among all students. She hopes that the partnership continues as it allows students to incorporate more movement in their learning and explore concepts in different ways through art.
