Staff Development

Our professional development PD services include standards-based teacher training workshops, model demonstration lessons, video conferencing sessions, coaching days, and consulting for individual educators, schools, districts, and arts organizations. We provide keynote addresses and master classes for conferences, special events, and thespian festivals. We train K-12 teachers (theatre or non-theatre) in classroom management, arts integration methods, literacy strategies, and teaching with creative drama across the curriculum.

All PD trainings are led by Mr. Jonas Basom, the author and creator of Drama Works! Teaching System (About the Author).

Teacher Training Workshops
• Hands-on, experiential learning
• Customized to meet your needs
• Full-day, half-day, or series

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Model Demonstration Lessons
• With students (teachers observe)
• Reflection/debrief with teachers
• Available for grades K-12

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Video Conferencing
• Affordable PD support for teachers
• Customized to the individual/group
• Available year-round and worldwide

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College Courses for Teachers
• Self-designed, independent study
• Earn credits using Drama Works!
• Available year-round and worldwide

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Arts Ed Collective
• PD for teachers, school residencies
• Approved for L.A. County schools
• Grant funding available

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Keynotes and Conferences
• Keynote address for special events
• Workshop leader for conferences
• Guest artist for thespian festivals

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Client List (Representative)

California School Districts

• LAUSD
• Norwalk La Mirada
• iLEAD and SCVi
• Burbank
• Las Virgenes
• Rialto
• San Juan
• Stockton
• Glendale
• Little Lake City

Texas School Districts

• Houston
• Dallas
• La Joya
• Fort Worth
• Tyler
• Waco
• Fort Bend
• Brownsville
• Lamar
• Corpus Christi

US and International

• Jefferson County Schools (KY)
• Denver Public Schools (CO)
• The American School (Taipei)
• CODE (Toronto)
• ABCDE (Vancouver)
• Portugal Teachers (Lisbon)
• Cal. Teachers Association (CA)
• Kaiser Permanente (CA)
• NW Theatre Teachers (WA)
• Florida Thespian Festival (FL)

PD Evaluations

See what teachers are saying about our staff development trainings.

Elementary Teachers

• Integrating Drama Across the Curriculum
• Implementing Drama Works!
• Model Demonstration Lessons

Secondary Teachers

• Theatre Specialists (6-12)
• English Teachers (grades 6-10)
• Skype for Theatre Specialists (6-12)

Testimonials

References Packet (including contacts and testimonial letters)

Administrators

"The games and techniques on this program meet the K-12 theatre TEKS and challenge students to the highest levels of creativity, language development, and thinking. Jonas is an engaging and inspiring presenter who has helped more than 120 of our generalist teachers gain skill and confidence using drama across the curriculum."

Troy Tinney
Director of Fine Arts (former)
Waco ISD

"Jonas' professional development in-service trainings for our teachers received overwhelming appreciation. By the end of the day, he had changed teachers from nervous and inexperienced observers to excited and confident participants asking for more!"

Tim Jones
Theatre Arts Advisor
Brownsville ISD

"We purchased the complete kit and full-day workshop for all of our theatre teachers, K-12. Our teachers absolutely loved the hands-on training!"

Martha Fair
Fine Arts Specialist
Corpus Christi ISD

"The best staff development we have ever had! Mr. Basom inspired 45 teachers with wonderful games that are easy to use in the classroom with different learning styles. His strategies for second language learners are some of the best I have ever seen. He is a master of his craft!"

Susy Oh
Elementary Principal

"Through his dynamic and interactive presentation, our teachers learned more effective strategies to implement the English Language Arts standards. A must see."

Luis Rojas
Elementary Assistant Principal

Teachers

"We participated in a year-long plan that included in-person trainings, model lessons with students, and video conferencing follow-ups. This was the best PD I have ever been a part of! By the end of the year I was confidently using the Drama Works! materials and teaching strategies in my own classroom. This has become a core aspect of my daily teaching."

Steve Fenrickson
1st grade teacher

"Clearly demonstrated how we can combine the creative art of drama with an intellectually rigorous educational pedagogy that addresses language arts skills, multiple intelligences, and social skills. It was also great fun and I can apply the activities immediately to my classroom."

Jason Buchalter
2nd grade teacher

"Educational, applicable, interesting, fun, useful, and motivating!"

Michael Zito
4th grade teacher

"I am now comfortable in how to organize drama in my classroom and get ALL students involved."

Carlos Nelson
6th grade English teacher

"Supportive and engaging. I like being up on my feet and learning while doing. I relate to my kinesthetic learners."

Harry Levinson
Middle school theatre teacher

"Jonas is a very engaging speaker. His PD training is grounded in his experience as an actor and teacher. Great strategies for managing a large group through routines and procedures. Energetic, fun, and practical!"

Kay Bliss
High school theatre teacher