Professional Development Day 2026

The Art of Nature

Char-Em Art Teacher Professional Development Day 2026

In collaboration with Charlevoix-Emmet ISD, Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey is proud to host a professional development day for art and science teachers to explore a variety of impactful methods for fostering inspired and interdisciplinary learning in the studio and classroom. 

Art and Science unite in this interactive and informative workshop. Participants will learn more about the local possibilities of blending science, nature, and art for their classrooms. We will begin our day with a Keynote presentation and then dive into a hands-on challenge, and finish the day with 2 break out sessions. 

When:  Wednesday, November 4, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.)

Where:  Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey
              461 E. Mitchell Street
              Petoskey, MI 49770
 
Registration and 6 SCECHs available through Char-Em ISD.

Participants will have opportunities to: 

  • engage their curiosity and creativity in hands-on activities and curricular development
  • gain experience exploring art and environmental science concepts in studio activities

AGENDA

8:00-8:15am : Coffe & Connection

8:15-8:25am : Welcom Opening Remarks - Char-Em

8:25-9:15am : Keynote - Tan-A Hoffman, Education Director, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

9:15-9:25am: Break

9:25-10:40am : Curriculum Share - Amy Pobanz, MI Creative Potential Director of Regional Arts Networks, Michigan Assessment Consortium

10:40-11:10am :  Breathing with Audrey Steele

11:10 - 11:45am : Lunch & Connection

11:45am - 12:45pm : Breakout Session 1

12:45 - 12:55pm : Break

12:55 - 1:55pm : Breakout Session 2

1:55 - 2:00pm : Break

2:00 - 2:30pm : Structured Implementation

2:3o - 2:45pm : Closing, Feedback, & SCECH Survey


Keynote Presenter Bios:

 

Tan-A Hoffman  is the Education Director for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and a longtime educator with more than 25 years of experience in K–12 education. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, a certified Michigan Anishinaabemowin educator, and a former Michigan Regional Teacher of the Year. Her work centers on strengthening Indigenous education through culture, language, literacy, land-based learning, and authentic Tribal-school partnerships. Tan-A has helped develop statewide Indigenous education resources, including Step Into Our Stories, and continues to support educators in creating learning environments that honor Anishinaabe knowledge, identity, and ways of knowing. 

Amy Pobanz = As Director of Regional Arts Education Networks for MI Creative Potential, I am dedicated to strengthening arts education systems and creating greater access to quality arts programming. In my role as Event Coordinator for Formative Assessment for Michigan Educators (FAME), I support formative assessment practices that align with best educational practices, including balanced assessment models that cultivate deeper learning and student agency. Together, these initiatives bring educators, community organizations, and teaching artists together to design collaborative programs and build dynamic learning experiences that help systems and learners thrive.

Parallel to this systems-level advocacy, I maintain an active studio painting practice through ColorDreamer Studios, viewing the canvas as both an investigative and reflective process. Whether developing statewide educational networks, coordinating professional learning events, or working directly with students as a teaching artist, my commitment remains grounded in supporting the creative growth of the communities I serve.

Breakout Session Leader Bios:

Jim Beckering is in his twenty-fourth year of teaching art for Boyne City Public Schools. He brings a lifelong love for the arts to this professional development day. Jim believes students' futures and teachers' attitudes and emotions can be molded in a positive direction through shared experiences. In his breakout sessions he will bring a combination of nature and human interactions through drawing still lifes that explore tension and balance. Multiple techniques and media will be explored.

 

Jasmine Petrie of Howl at the Loom is a lifelong resident of Northern Michigan and has been practicing natural dyes for over a decade. She has taught many fiber art workshops in the area and has studied facets of natural dye under Shanna Robinson, India Flint, Elin Noble, and Irit Dulman. Jasmine is also an avid weaver and constantly seeks to express her enthusiasm for local fiber arts by supporting local businesses and organizations.