Shawn Whistler

About the artist

In addition to being a ballroom dance instructor, Mr. Whistler has experience in classroom instruction as a former Spanish teacher for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. His experiences as both an artist and trained educator provide an unique blend to his teaching workshops.

Programs

Creative Movement & Digital Game Design

Residency

Students will get hands-on with the computer software GameMaker with step-by-step instructions on how to begin creating their own video game. Interwoven throughout the residency are lessons in creative movement and the relationship between action/reaction in real life and in a video game. *Mobile laptop lab can be provided

This program meets standards in 21st Century Skills Communication Critical Thinking Flexible Themes Life Skills

Grades: 6-89-12
Length: 45 min
Audience Limit: 30

5-day: $438

Latin Ballroom Dancing

Workshop

Students will observe Latin ballroom dancing and will dance in pairs learning steps from the cha cha, the merengue, or rumba.

This program meets standards in 21st Century Skills Critical Thinking Flexible Themes Health & Wellness Life Skills Physical Education Social Studies South/Central Amer. & Carribean Culture Teamwork World History & Culture

Grades: K-23-56-89-12
Length: 45 min
Audience Limit: 30

Single: $150 Multiple: $125

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Reviews

“From day one Shawn Whistler has done an outstanding job of connecting with our students. Our students love his digital video design class. This 21st Century form of visual arts really engages our students. It teaches them creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking. Most of all, our students are having FUN!”

Principal Joe Hanson, St. Roch Catholic School

"I'm so impressed with his teaching that allowed my students to "troubleshoot" and solve problems on their own. He did an awesome job reaching all of my students that have a wide range of abilities thanks to his scaffolding techniques."

Amanda O'Donnell, Special Education Teacher, Zionsville HS

"I was quite impressed with Mr. Whistler's approach, a combination of encouragement and challenge, to keep them focused and thinking. In the end, (the students) all created games they did not think they would do when we started, some even with a degree of sophistication, under Mr. Whistler's apt tutelage."

Mary Ann Chamberlin, 8th grade, St. Roch Catholic School

"Several students who struggle in core academic subjects have excelled and expressed a love for the wide range of creativity this [Game Design Residency] offers. It challenges them to think critically, troubleshoot, and problem solve by working through objectives to reach a goal. Students learn by doing and we applied ideas of science standards (ecology, habitats, and environmentalism to computer game programming. AWESOME!"

Julie Seevers, Middle School Science Teacher, St Roch Catholic School

"As a teacher watching my students during the game design class, I can see many differences in the way the students respond during game design rather than the traditional classroom setting. The students are much more responsive to Mr. Whistler and respond with enthusiasm when solving their own problems. They have learned to think critically about their task and find their own solutions to their problems. I have noticed a group of students who would normally sit back and not actively involve themselves in solving their problems actually troubleshooting their problems and reaching out to other groups to help direct them in their efforts to solve their problems. It is inspiring to see students' enthusiasm raise as a result of their involvement with the game design class and Mr. Whistler's instruction."

Mary DeArmond, St Roch Catholic School

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