May 13, 2026
Story by Joe Vinduska
Barton Community College will host “Stories and Stardust: An Arts Integration Training for Early Educators” from 9 a.m. to noon June 6 in the Barton Agriculture and Transportation Complex.
The interactive training session is designed to support early learning by intentionally integrating dance, spoken word, and drama. Participants will engage in practical, arts-integrated strategies that strengthen language development, build academic vocabulary, reinforce emerging STEM concepts, and foster meaningful adult-child interaction.
The workshop will also highlight effective collaboration with outside teaching artists to support well-rounded, developmentally responsive learning environments.
The training is presented in collaboration with Arts Ed West and facilitated by artists Dustin Loehr and Caila Rochelle. Loehr is the founding executive director of Arts Ed West and has worked extensively in arts education policy, advocacy, and community-based arts programming across the western United States. Rochelle serves as director of community engagement for Arts Ed West and specializes in culturally responsive teaching practices, creative placemaking, and community-centered arts experiences. Together, their work focuses on expanding equitable access to arts education and supporting whole-child learning through creative engagement.
Joining them is Barton Coordinator of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education KellyAnn Bonnell who brings classroom experience and expertise in early childhood education and educator preparation to support practical, developmentally responsive learning strategies for participants. Registration is $25 per person.
For more information or to register, visit earlychildhood.bartonccc.edu.