Each year, the Walla Walla Valley Early Learning Coalition (WWVELC) conducts a Dinner and Dialogue, training for the community’s early learning professionals. These professionals include licensed childcare family homes and center professionals, Head Start and ECEAP staff, relevant YMCA staff, Community College staff, and some Children’s Home Society members.
This year, WWVELC Program Manager Eiledon McClellan requested that the Dinner and Dialogue training be led by ESD 123’s Art Expression Trauma and Resilience Coordinators. The new A.R.T.S. program (Artful Response for Tiered Support) through ESD 123 is led by Administrator,
Lisa Brouwer-Thompson, and Cindy Morris, Art Expression Trauma and Resilience Specialist. The evening in Walla Walla was filled with laughter and positive community-building experiences. Participants learned how to use the arts as a resilience-building tool. They also had the opportunity to play with paint, sculpt, draw, and make music, getting first-hand experience in building resilience. Professionals connected over shared personal experiences while renewing hope and joy in their significant work supporting children and families in their community.
Attendee Sara Logsdon, ECEAP (Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program) Assistant Teacher, shared, “It was such a humbling and grounding experience for me as an educator to take this class. I am not much of an art person, so to find new ways to incorporate art that is fun for kids was awesome!” She also mentioned appreciating how Lisa and Cindy shared techniques they could incorporate into their classroom using little to no money on extra supplies, with many items being those you could find outdoors.