VSA arts of Massachusetts trains teachers, artists, administrators, and parents statewide in the ongoing use of the arts to engage students with different learning styles and to bring students of all abilities together in the classroom. We offer a variety of professional development opportunities, including:

- WE HOST: Institutes and conferences organized and hosted by VSAM, on topics related to the arts and inclusive education.

- YOU HOST: Workshops hosted by schools or other institutions, which are organized by VSAM to fit their specific interests.

"Start with the Arts" is an instructional program created by VSA arts for pre-school and early
elementary school learners that uses the arts to assist young children, including those with disabilities,
in exploring themes commonly taught in early childhood classrooms, while developing basic literacy skills and self-expression. VSAM offers "Start with the Arts" workshops that help teachers learn
how to use the guide and to incorporate its ideas in their teaching. We also offer parents workshops based on the "Start with the Arts at Home" guide, where they learn effective and creative strategies
to assist their young children improve their literacy skills while participating in the arts.

Click here to learn more about "STWA" and "SWTA at Home".

Click here to learn more about "MARG".

ESIS (Educational Services in Institutional Settings) Westborough, Palmer and Taunton - Training for approximately 100 teachers and staff members who work with students in DMH and DYS programs, on how to infuse the arts into their classrooms to promote self-expression, creativity and learning in their students.

The Learning Center for Deaf Children, Randolph and Waltham Campuses - "Start with the Arts" training for teachers of young deaf and hard of hearing students, focused on using arts activitiesto promote literacy.

Federation for Children with Special Needs Conference - "Start with the Arts" workshop for approximately 30 parents of young children with disabilities, focused on strategies for using the arts to promote early childhood literacy.

Northeastern University ASL Conference - "Start with the Arts" workshop for parents and teachers of young deaf and hard of hearing children, focused on using the arts and Gallaudet University's "15 principles for reading to deaf children" to give them strategies for using the arts and adequate reading practices to help their children become literate.

DOE Kindergarten Networking Conference - "Start with the Arts" training for Kindergarten teachers which focused on reading a book and finding activities from the "Start with the Arts" guide to extend the learning and promote deep understanding.

MAEP Institute at Lesley University - Workshop based on the partnership between VSAM and the O'Hearn Elementary School, focused on how the arts can help a school become inclusive and how they can help every student to show their uniqueness and strengths.