Wasatch County School District fine arts educator, Tricia Bishop, has been chosen to participate in a national project designed to advance arts education practice in schools across the country. Ms. Bishop teaches theater and dance at both Rocky Mountain and Timpanogos Middle Schools.
“Tricia Bishop was selected because of her dedication to theatre education and commitment to advancing equitable and inclusive practices within arts instruction,” said EdTA Chief Learning Officer Cory Wilkerson, who leads the theatre portion of the project. “Having opportunities to learn from their peers is beneficial for all educators, but especially for theatre educators, who are often the only educator trained in their discipline within a school or even a district. We are thrilled to be a part of a project that aims to make that a reality for all theatre teachers and to elevate the field.”
A 26-year veteran teacher, Ms. Bishop graduated from Logan High School and earned her Bachelor of Science in Theater Arts & Dance Education, in addition to her Master of Arts Administration, from Southern Utah University. She has been teaching in WCSD for seven years, and is the proud mother of three boys, one daughter-in-law and two grandsons.
“I believe all kids can learn and grow at high levels,” Ms. Bishop says of her educational philosophy. “My job is to nurture their creativity, instill confidence, and explore all avenues of life through experiences in the arts. I’m very lucky to teach in the performing arts. Kids get to express themselves, learn to take risks, find out who they are, and develop skills that will carry them throughout life.”
Funded by a five-year, $8.5 million U.S. Department of Education grant, Connected Arts Networks is a join endeavor of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), and the National Art Education Association (NAEA). Ms. Bishop is one of 105 theatre educators and 484 total educators across the arts disciplines to join the project, which involves a three-year commitment to participating in CAN’s professional learning communities (PLCs).
These groups engage in peer-to-peer learning, access to top arts education experts, share insights, and explore innovative approaches to reaching all students in their classrooms. Ms. Bishop will be part of CAN’s ultimate goal of creating a model for sustainable arts-based teacher learning communities across the nation.
Find more information about CAN on NAEA’s website.
About the Educational Theatre Association
The Educational Theatre Association, home to the Educational Theatre Foundation and International Thespian Society, is an international nonprofit whose mission is shaping lives through theatre education. The foundation provides essential financial support to enhance theatre education, expand access, and foster racial equity. The International Thespian Society, an honor society active in nearly 5,000 schools, has inducted 2.5 million students since 1929. Visit schooltheatre.org to learn how EdTA honors students, supports teachers, and influences public opinion that theatre education is essential for building life skills.
