A FREE ONLINE COURSE OF INCLUSION & MUSIC TO EDUCATE, CELEBRATE, AND ADVOCATE

OUR PURPOSE

To respond to violence, discrimination, and marginalization.

OUR PEOPLE

Secondary school students, their teachers, administrators, and parents.

OUR PROJECT

To provide engaging online curriculum for teachers and student learning.

OUR GOAL

To awaken a sense of power in each student - power to challenge all forms of intolerance.

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The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus has developed a completely free online course to offer curriculum of equity and inclusion to every school in Iowa. We are reaching out to administrators, curriculum directors, music instructors, sponsors of Gay-Straight Alliances, and all classroom teachers who wish to work with students on acceptance and belonging. We believe our curriculum provides flexibility for distance and on-site learning; this can be a great way to differentiate for the needs of many students.

Curriculum has been designed by a team headed by Wade Petersen, an Iowa teacher with 33 years of teaching experience (the 2004 World Language Teacher of the Year and 2015 top-five finalist for the Department of Education Teacher of the Year). Wade is also a best-selling author of over 40 published books for creative teaching methods. Our former Artistic Director and Conductor, Dr. Rebecca Gruber, and Paul Hengesteg, Assessment Coordinator for the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at Iowa State University, round out the educators of our curriculum team.

Lack of inclusivity in a school climate can cause students to bring less than their full energy and focus to the classroom. Many of our schools are addressing these issues of equity and inclusion. We believe this online course will benefit all students. The course may provide a much-needed way to address the needs of students who are struggling with identity and self-esteem and of those students who are looking to be allies in support of a more understanding and accepting school.

We hope to awaken a sense of power within each student--power to challenge all forms of intolerance. Out in the Schools will help teachers by adding another resource for their “toolbox” as they prepare to deliver quality education, whether that is remotely, in-person, or as some hybrid. Schools might use the curriculum with one student, one class, several classes, or an entire faculty. No matter the distance, let’s come together to work for a better future for all students!