Main Street School of Performing Arts Teaching Teachers?

One of the best parts of my job, aside from working with some of the best students in the world, is when I get the chance to show off those students. Last Friday, I had just such an occasion. Hamline University’s Master of Arts in Teaching program brought 38 students to the Main Street School of Performing Arts to learn about charter schools and see an arts focus school in session.  Those “teachers in training” listened while I gave a little background on the school and why a student would be interested in a school like MSSPA, heard our E.D. Barbara Wornson speak about charter schools and authorizers, listened to GaVae Carlson, the Director of Student Affairs, tell them about classes and registration, and then got to go in groups of two or three with our student ambassadors into classes and through the halls to hear first hand what it is like to attend this kind of school.

The Hamline students asked the MSSPA students some tough questions, but our ambassadors were ready for them and had great knowledge of our programs, where our graduates go, and could give personal insight as to why this school works so well for the students.  After the tours and class drop ins, I had time to chat with a number of the Hamline folk, and they were impressed with our school, our programs, but thoroughly enthralled with the maturity and ease of our students.  Some of the Hamline MAT students wanted to know how to get a job here, and some were not as interested in this type of school, but all could see that our students were thriving here.

I want to say thanks to the 38 MAT candidates for coming out and touring Main Street, and a special thanks to Dr. Berman for setting up this opportunity for both Hamline and MSSPA. It is great to show off every once and a while.  Last week was Main Street School of Performing Arts Homecoming as well, with our picnic and NO SHAME performance on Friday night and Homecoming Dance on Saturday Night here at the school. All events were incredible, well attended, and a great thank you goes out to our PTO and Homecoming families for putting on a great picnic and dance!  You all make it so fun to be a part of this community; thanks for all you do.  If you missed the Homecoming NO SHAME, catch the next one in November.  Coming this month: RITMO an Instrumental Music performance at McNally Smith School of Music on October 23 at 7:00pm, and Con Moto the Fall Vocal Music Concert at St. Joseph Church right next door to the school on October 29 at 7:00pm.

MSSPA Fun Fact Number 122: MSSPA teachers are fully licensed in their instructional area, including the music, theatre and dance staff.