A group of students gathers before a painting in a museum gallery.
Youth & Continuing Studies

Teacher Programs

Teacher Programs

Continuing Studies teacher programs offer educators the exciting opportunity to explore, research, and reflect upon their relationship with the newest teaching and learning approaches in the fields of art, art history, design, media arts, and museum studies.

Participants have the option of taking part in the AP* Advanced Placement Summer Institutes in Studio Art.

Programs run for one-week sessions online.

Advanced Placement Summer Institutes

Advanced Placement* Summer Institutes (APSI) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) are offered to high school teachers from around the world in the subject of Art and Design. Designed for any level AP* teacher, participants earn one graduate credit from SAIC after receiving 30 hours of AP* Summer Institute instruction.

Registration opens in spring 2024. APSI Art and Design sessions will be offered online in 2024. Please visit the Art and Design page for more detailed information.

APSI Studio Art and Design Online Session 1: July 29–August 2 with M. Colleen Harrigan and Michael x. Ryan
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT
Registration opens in spring 2024.

APSI Studio Art and Design Online Session 2: August 5–9 with M. Colleen Harrigan and Michael x. Ryan
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT
Registration opens in spring 2024.

While professional development is not required to prepare for 2023–24 AP course updates and new classroom resources, the College Board encourages AP teachers to take advantage of the professional development offered by the AP. Based on survey data, teachers across the country have found AP professional development to be extremely valuable.

Teachers who attend an AP Summer Institute in 2023 should be able to: 

  • Understand the Course
    • The course framework defines the scope of the course and specifies what students must know and do to be successful on the AP Exam.
  • Plan the Course
    • Sequencing, pacing, and scaffolding are essential for building students’ understanding and their ability to transfer and apply knowledge and skills.
  • Teach the Course
    • Effective instructional strategies help students to develop a mastery of course content and skills over time.
  • Assess Student Progress and Understanding
    • Learning requires time, practice, and regular feedback.
       

*Advanced Placement, AP, College Board, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.

  • 2020 Recordings
    11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CT)  
    Adapting Arts Education for Chicago Public Schools 
    Melisa Rutkelis, Manager of Student Programs, Department of Arts Education, Chicago Public Schools 
    Watch the recording

    Melisa Rutkelis is the Manager of Student Programs for The Department of Arts Education in Chicago Public Schools. There, she manages the Advanced Arts Program, All-City Visual and Performing Arts Program, and District-Wide Music Festivals. She taught for 8 years and spent 5 of those years teaching: general music, modern band, mariachi, concert band, and choir at Twain Elementary in CPS. During that time she secured over $55,000 in grants, was teacher of the year, and led the All-City Elementary and High School Bands. Melisa has presented at The Illinois Music Educator Conference, VanderCook College of Music, NAfME, Modern Rock Band Fest, and for the New York Public Schools. Her most advanced degree is a Masters in Music Education, from VanderCook College of Music. She is an oboist, and loves attending concerts across the city.

    Nora Guerrero, Student Program Coordinator 
    Nora Guerrero provides administrative and logistical support for DAE student programs, including All-City Performing Arts, All-City Visual Arts Exhibitions, and Music and Theatre Festivals.

    Gaby Lopez, Advanced Arts Student Program Coordinator 
    Gaby Lopez coordinates and executes a range of daily operations for the Advanced Arts Program at Gallery 37. in addition to leading outreach/student recruitment district-wide, purchasing/budget management and student scheduling. 
     
    12:00–1:00 p.m. CT
    The Power of Asynchronous Learning 
    Chris Sykora, Deerfield High School + Co-Founder of the Illinois High School Art Exhibition 
    Watch the recording

    Chris Sykora holds degrees in the liberal and fine arts, including a Masters in Education Leadership. He currently teaches visual art at Deerfield High School. He co-founded the Illinois High School Art Exhibition and serves as its Assistant Director & Secretary. Chris previously served as the IAEA's Advocacy Taskforce Chair. This role included facilitating discussions with key policy officials in Illinois and across the country. His work has been vital in improving arts access in public schools. As a teacher, Chris practices reflective social constructivist teaching, while facilitating future-focused project-based learning opportunities. His classroom practices focus on nurturing social-emotional growth and on bridging intersections across disciplines. Chris is an avid reader and constant learner. He's always increasing his knowledge about education and creativity. He shares his findings and insights on his podcast, ​Hey Teachers!.

    1:00–2:00 p.m. CT
    Introduction to Resources 
    Alexis Bailey and Sabrina Phillips, Art Institute of Chicago 
    Watch the recording

    Alexis Bailey is an educator in the Department of Learning and Public Engagement at the Art Institute of Chicago. Alexis develops classroom resources and professional development opportunities for educators across the Chicagoland area. She previously worked as a Museum Education Intern where she facilitated docent tours, interactive gallery talks, and art making activities. She holds a BFA in Communications and a minor in Traditional Media Art from Texas A&M University. In addition to her enthusiasm and passion for the arts, Alexis has spent her time working in local art galleries throughout the greater Texas and Atlanta area.

    Sabrina Mooroogen Phillips, MA is a Senior Educator at the Art Institute of Chicago where she designs resources and virtual and in-person experiences. As a former elementary teacher, she worked with fifth and sixth graders at schools in England, Thailand, Egypt, and Qatar, exploring the bilingual learner's experience in multiple contexts. Sabrina's art-historical expertise centers on late colonial South Asian art, specifically the works of women. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education and Social Justice at Lancaster University UK, with a focus on critical race theory and whiteness in educator programming and professional development.

    Breakout conversations following each presentation are facilitated by SAIC Staff and Faculty.

  • View the ArtBash 2020 Exhibition (Freshmen Spring Exhibition)
    View the Spring 2020 BFA Show
    Visit the Art Institute of Chicago virtually!
    Additionally, connect with us on our Facebook Page for Art Educators!

Contact Us

Continuing Studies staff members are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT at 312.629.6170 or cs@saic.edu to answer your questions. We are here to help!