May 23, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Janet Starke Krogman
Program and Grants Manager
jskrogman@artsteach.org
(859) 802-5003 (cell)

Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts selects ArtsTeach as regional partner
Organization named as site for arts-based program, North Carolina Wolf Trap

CHARLOTTE N.C., May 23, 2006 – Deborah Cooper, executive director of ArtsTeach, announced the organization has been selected to direct North Carolina Wolf Trap, a new early education program designed to help at-risk Pre-K children.

This new effort to support curriculum through the arts will officially be named “North Carolina Wolf Trap, a program of ArtsTeach.”

"Wolf Trap is proud to welcome ArtsTeach into our national partnership,” said Wolf Trap Senior Director of Education, Miriam C. Flaherty. “For many years, we have provided short-term programs to support communities in North Carolina and have sought to establish a productive, mutually rewarding partnership with a high-quality arts education organization in the state.

We are convinced that ArtsTeach, with its experience with and commitment to partnering with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, teacher and artist professional development, and meaningful evaluations is exactly the right institution to establish and grow North Carolina Wolf Trap.”

The Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts has 14 other regional programs throughout the United States. The goal of the program is to provide collaborations between performing artists and early childhood professionals to weave arts education into school curriculum. “We want to improve children’s academic abilities in the critical, early education years.” Cooper said.

“North Carolina Wolf Trap will provide arts-in-education services for at-risk children, ages 3-5 and their teachers,” Cooper said. “Partnering with this prestigious, national organization is a great opportunity for our community, which has long been a leader in early childhood education,”

ArtsTeach is partnering with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to launch the program in North Carolina as part of the district’s Bright Beginnings pre-kindergarten program. Wolftrap will debut in May at CMS’ Tryon Hills Pre-K Center.

“Young children love learning through the arts and we’re thrilled to join ArtsTeach in this important effort to provide at-risk children with the benefits an early start in arts education can bring,” says Frances Haithcock, CMS superintendent. “This will enrich their lives for years to come.”

ArtsTeach plans to expand the program to additional sites and to partner with other state and regional early childhood programs such as “More at Four” and “Smart Start.”

Cooper also announced the hiring of a regional director for the North Çarolina Wolf Trap program. Nancy Beasley, who is retiring from CMS in June, will join the organization as regional director of North Carolina Wolf Trap. Beasley, who is currently serving as principal of Selwyn Elementary School, has a strong background as an early childhood curriculum specialist.

Beasley helped design the Bright Beginnings curriculum used by CMS and served as a teacher for many years before moving into administration.

She has also been an adjunct instructor at Queens University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Beasley earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Duke University and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is certified in supervision and administration.

Beasley will serve as the liaison to the Wolf Trap Institute and will be responsible for building partnerships with area university research departments. She will design and implement teacher, parent and teaching artist training institutes.

About Wolf Trap
The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts is a non-profit organization founded in 1971 by Catherine Filene Shouse (1896-1994) that presents and produces a full-range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington, D.C. area, as well as nationally and internationally. It also programs and operates the Wolf Trap Opera Company, and year-round education programs for children of all ages, including the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. The Foundation’s activities are principally operated from the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. Located just outside of Washington, DC in Vienna, Virginia, the Center is a national, arts-in-education resource center for children, parents, educators and performing artists. Visit www.wolftrap.org for more information.

About CMS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) is one of the premier metropolitan school systems in the United States. The goal in CMS is that all students acquire the knowledge, skills and values necessary to live rich and full lives as productive and enlightened members of society. CMS has 127,000 students supported by 16,000 employees in 150 schools. Nearly 100 native languages are spoken and more than 130 countries are represented in CMS. CMS has received numerous awards for student achievement and offers highly acclaimed International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement curriculum as part of a robust program of 15 magnet programs in 51 different schools.

About ArtsTeach
ArtsTeach, located at Spirit Square in Charlotte, N.C., is an educational partner to the Arts & Science Council. ArtsTeach seeks to maximize academic learning for students by exposure, practice and infusion of the arts. Grants to schools and arts organizations are made for curriculum-based arts experiences and professional development workshops are offered to classroom teachers, arts teachers and teaching artists. ArtsTeach is funded through the generous support of the ASC, CMS, the North Carolina Arts Council and the Knight Foundation. Visit www.artsteach.org.