aTi FAQs



Frequently Asked Questions

Q:     Where does aTi take place?

A:     There are two aTi sessions. Session #1 takes place at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. Session #2 takes place at Rutgers University-Camden in Camden, NJ.

Q:    Is public transportation and parking available?

A:    Parking is available at both sites.  The Power Arts Center at William Paterson University has its own parking lot in which participants may park free of charge.  Parking at Rutgers University, Camden is by permit only and the permit must be secured in advance.  Parking is $2 per day, totaling $20 for the entire aTi session.  There are NJ Transit buses available to reach William Paterson and both bus and RiverLINE light rail convenient to the Rutgers location.  Please refer to university websites for further information.

Q:    Who attends aTi?

A:     The diversity of the aTi community is one of the program's     strongest assets.  In your workshop, you may have math teachers, social studies teachers, artists, student teachers, poets, art teachers, English teachers or retired administrators from urban, rural, and suburban areas.  The participants at aTi learn as much from each other as they do from their workshops.

Q:    When does aTi take place?

A:     Monday – Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm for two consecutive weeks at each site in the summer.

Q:     Can I earn academic or professional credit while attending aTi?

A:     Yes. Arts Horizons is a NJ state accredited provider (Classification 1) of Professional Development and participants automatically receive NJ Professional Development Credit for aTi.  One can earn up to 72 hours of credit during the year.  For an additional cost, participants at either location can also earn 3 graduate credits through Rutgers University , while participants at William Paterson can earn 6 hours of Continuing Education Credit.

Q:     What is the difference between graduate, professional
        and continuing education credit?

A:      Professional Development credit is earned and a certification of completion given for participation in the program as part of tuition.  These credit hours help teachers in New Jersey fulfill the state requirement of 100 professional development hours in 5 years.  For the summer session daily participation earns 60 hours.  Graduate credit may be used toward an advanced degree.  Continuing Education credits are useful for teachers in districts that include CE on their pay scale and teachers will earn 6 hours at aTi-North.  Participants should check with their principal or superintendent before choosing to purchase CE credits.

Q:     How can I attend aTi at a reduced rate?

A:      At aTi, we strive to provide a world-class, affordable program. Reduced rates are available for school districts that send 3 or more participants to aTi. A limited amount of tuition-free scholarships are also available and are awarded on a competitive basis. Please see application guidelines. (make this a link to the scholarship application guidelines pages

Q:    How will what I learn at aTi benefit myself, my students, and my school?

A:     All workshops are designed to encourage individual creative talents and teaching abilities as well as develop techniques to integrate art forms into the classroom and enhance learning for all students.

Q:    What if I don't consider myself artistic?

A:     aTi welcomes participants at all levels, from the beginner to the more advanced. Our professional arts instructors have decades of experience teaching adult learners and fostering creativity at all levels.  

Q:     What is a typical day likeat aTi?

A:     Each day at aTi is jam-packed with hands-on studio time, professional instruction, optional professional development workshops and plenty of time to network and meet with others in the aTi community.

     From 9:00am – 12:00 noon, you participate in-depth in your major workshop in a studio setting that encourages growth and discovery. Through guided instruction and individual work time, you focus on developing skills and techniques designed to spur your creativity and expand your learning. 

    From 1:00 – 3:00pm, you participate in your minor workshop in a new or complimentary art form where you discover your artistic potential or hone your skills in a familiar art form.

Q:     How do I convince my school administrators to support my attendance at aTi?

A:      Teachers have much to do in little time with often constrained resources. aTi is a fun and creative way to develop your teaching and learning skills both professionally and personally, to emerge refreshed, renewed and inspired. 

A math and science teacher who participated in aTi expressed that getting out of his comfort zone to take painting and theatre workshops made him empathize with the fear his student's faced when learning new or difficult subjects. He also commented that, through the techniques of oil painting, he realized how important attention to detail is not only as an artist, but in teaching students the attention to detail necessary for solving math problems. 

This is just one example of how participants dialogue with professional artists and fellow educators, to integrate Core Curriculum Content Standards and link studio activities to the classroom.  Also, for teachers in New Jersey, the state requires 100 hours of Professional Development in 5 years.  aTi provides an inexpensive, intensive, truly productive experience that also covers most of those required hours.

 

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