Crafting Creativity

The San Joaquin County Office of Education’s (SJCOE) Student Engagement and the Arts department has expanded its professional development offerings, opening new avenues for teachers to explore and integrate the arts into their classrooms. Now a six-person team, the department has broadened its reach across multiple artistic disciplines, with a focus on supporting both specialized and non-specialized teachers through hands-on, high-impact training.

This fall, the team partnered with the University of the Pacific’s Department of Art, Media, Performance and Design to offer a series of workshops led by university professors. Thirty-six teachers from across San Joaquin County participated in sessions on ceramics, monoprinting, suminagashi, logo animation, and introductory 3D modeling. The partnership allows educators to access professional-grade equipment, expert instruction, and classroom-ready strategies.

For many educators, including Ripon High School art teacher Sydney Castle, the experience was transformative. Now in her third year of teaching—and her first year leading an advanced art course with ceramics included in the curriculum—Castle said the workshop provided essential time to build confidence and experiment.

“Being able to practice these techniques before bringing them to my students is invaluable,” Castle said. “PDs like the ones SJCOE hosts are incredibly beneficial, and I absolutely want to participate again.”

Lodi High School art teacher Missy Selles echoed that sentiment, noting the joy of returning to the learner’s role. “Today, we get to be the students,” she said.

View our Student Engagement and the Arts page for more student opportunities. 

View the Professional Development calendar to learn more about opportunities for district staff.