BTS Charter Schools That Incorporate the Core Knowledge Model – Endeavor Hall and Canyon Rim Academy

Arts integration is a key component to what makes the Beverley Taylor Sorensen Arts Learning Program so effective in increasing student engagement and performance in all subjects. 2 charter schools in the Salt Lake City area, Endeavor Hall and Canyon Rim Academy, are not only BTS schools, but also incorporate the Core Knowledge Model school-wide.  

New to the BTS Arts Learning Program this year, Canyon Rim Academy’s Chrissy Richards is working hard to align her art curriculum to various core standards with a focus on Social Studies. 

This is Chrissy’s fifth year teaching at Canyon Rim Academy, but her first year as a BTS Visual Arts Specialist and she has jumped right in, attending Back-to-School Professional Development meetings and reading up on what it means to be a part of the BTS program.  When asked, she replied, 

“I love the principles of the BTS arts program, especially the value of integration into a wide range of learning subjects and styles. My favorite part has been networking with other art educators! I was a lone wolf for many years and finally have other art teachers to connect with and the support feels great.”

She plans on using what she learned … Before the start of the school, Chrissy asked her partners at the University of Utah if she could be referred to any other specialists in the region that use core knowledge within their schools. Another BTS charter school was identified, Endeavor Hall and Visual Art Specialist Janna Bateman. The two specialists were introduced and have been able to share ideas via email.

Janna has been the art teacher since Endeavor Hall opened its doors in 2011 and has been adapting and integrating art curriculum for 12 years. Janna explained that she here from Boise in search of a teaching job and ultimately chose Endeavor Hall because of their implementation of core knowledge. She described Core Knowledge as,

“This is gold for these kids…it’s like a timeline, you really understand the way the world works. Everything has a place, and it is so easy to see it.”

There is a world map and a historic timeline hanging in the front of her classroom that she refers to when teaching art lessons that align with social studies standards, and help students make connections to prior lessons. 

When asked how Endeavor Hall became involved in the BTS program, Janna explained that she would regularly approach her administration with workshops and professional development opportunities she was interested in attending. 

The school did not always have funding for her to attend so they investigated other options leading them to the BTS Arts Learning Program. She explained, 

“They just wanted me to have a chance to meet other art teachers and be a part of group of art teachers. Sometimes you just feel so alone and isolated and are like, I need more ideas!”

Janna admitted that she found herself feeling “stuck” in her lessons after so many years but has loved seeing what other arts specialists shared at the end of the year regional meeting. She is excited to attend more BTS professional development opportunities in the future to share and gain lesson ideas, as well as making connections with specialists and artists working in the community.