Mississippi Whole Schools

Mississippi Whole Schools Every child deserves to be taught in and through the arts, nurturing the imagination.

Mississippi's Whole Schools Program is an arts integrated conceptual approach to re-designing school environments to create a culture of collaboration and transparency. The Whole Schools Initiative, Mississippi’s first comprehensive statewide arts education program, uses the arts as a vehicle for promoting high-quality instruction and learning for students in all disciplines. This unique program g

oes far beyond “art for art’s sake” and applies the learning power of the arts across the entire curriculum. The Five Goals of the Whole Schools Initiative are:

1.To improve student academic achievement through the integration of the arts into the basic curriculum.

2.To enrich the lives of students by increasing their skills and knowledge in all arts disciplines.

3.To assist the professional and personal growth of teachers and administrators through arts experiences.

4.To use the arts to increase parental and community involvement in schools.

5.To assist schools in building a sustainable system for supporting arts integration and arts infusion.

06/11/2026

What do schools really need from teaching artists?

Amanda Koonlaba shares why the most impactful arts experiences connect directly to classroom learning! When teaching artists align their work with academic goals, they become valuable partners in student success.

Join Amanda, fellow educators, and teaching artists July 7–9 in Tupelo for the Mississippi Whole Schools Summer Institute and discover practical strategies for building meaningful, arts-integrated learning experiences.

Don't wait any longer, register today: mswholeschools.org

06/09/2026

Pottery and rocket building probably aren’t sitting next to each other in most curriculum maps. But at Summer Institute, that kind of unexpected connection is exactly the point!

Artist, engineer, and founder of the Steampunk Pottering Project, Steve Barney brings together material science, indigenous pottery traditions, structural engineering, and hands-on creativity in sessions designed to spark curiosity and cross-disciplinary thinking.

If you’re interested in learning experiences that blur the lines between art, STEM, history, and experimentation, you’ll want this track on your schedule!

Registration closes June 15! Learn more and register at mswholeschools.org

Only 30 days until the Mississippi Whole Schools Summer Institute returns to Tupelo!Summer Institute is a space where cr...
06/07/2026

Only 30 days until the Mississippi Whole Schools Summer Institute returns to Tupelo!

Summer Institute is a space where creativity and education come together in meaningful, hands-on ways.

Learn more and register before June 15 at mswholeschools.org

Mississippi Whole Schools is highlighting the powerful work happening through the Teaching Artist Certification Program ...
06/05/2026

Mississippi Whole Schools is highlighting the powerful work happening through the Teaching Artist Certification Program (TACP) with a new blog reflection from teaching artist Angi Cooper.

In “Evolving, Always Evolving,” Angi reflects on her residency at Thomas Street Elementary and the creative process of connecting visual arts, literature, and science through arts-integrated instruction.

Her reflection offers a thoughtful look at how arts integration encourages curiosity, collaboration, and deeper learning experiences for students.

Read the full blog at mswholeschools.org/blog

What’s holding you back from attending the Mississippi Whole Schools Summer Institute? Because we can tell you what shou...
06/03/2026

What’s holding you back from attending the Mississippi Whole Schools Summer Institute? Because we can tell you what shouldn’t!

✔ Keynote speaker Ron Clark
✔ Hands-on sessions in arts integration connecting ELA, math, and science to theatre, music, visual arts, and dance
✔ Practical strategies you can actually use in your classroom
✔ Creative collaboration with educators from across Mississippi
✔ Fresh ideas that make learning more engaging, meaningful, and student-centered
✔ New ways to connect creativity with core education standards
✔ Earn CEU, SEMI, and OSL credits

This isn’t just professional development. It’s an opportunity to rethink what education can look and feel like for both teachers and students!

Learn more at mswholeschools.org

06/02/2026

If you haven’t heard yet...we are excited to welcome Ron Clark as this year’s Opening Keynote Speaker at the Mississippi Whole Schools Summer Institute!

Known for his high-energy approach to student engagement and creative teaching strategies, Ron Clark is sure to bring inspiration, practical ideas, and excitement to this year’s conference.

If you’ve been thinking about attending Summer Institute, this is your sign. We can’t wait to see you in Tupelo this July!

Secure your spot today at https://mswholeschools.org/

Video description: A Mississippi Whole Schools team member shares excitement about Ron Clark serving as keynote speaker at the 2026 Summer Institute and encourages educators to attend the conference in Tupelo.

Teaching Artists: Need support as you prepare for upcoming residencies and classroom work?Join our weekly Teaching Artis...
06/01/2026

Teaching Artists: Need support as you prepare for upcoming residencies and classroom work?

Join our weekly Teaching Artist Office Hours — a flexible drop-in space to ask questions, get feedback, and connect with others working in arts integration.

Whether you need help with lesson planning, standards alignment, classroom logistics, or working with school partners, this session is designed to support you wherever you are in the process.

🗓 Mondays: June 2, June 9, June 16 & June 23
⏰ 1:15–2:15 p.m.

Join here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81126291659?pwd=b40dQqeXWgn9vR8EvVrmVze7wSJTX1.11

The impact is real. 100% of teachers reported learning new teaching techniques they expect to use throughout their caree...
05/29/2026

The impact is real. 100% of teachers reported learning new teaching techniques they expect to use throughout their careers!

That kind of growth comes from being part of Mississippi Whole Schools—a statewide program that uses the arts to strengthen teaching and learning across all subjects.

Research by Dr. Robert Horowitz reflects what educators see every day: arts integration works.

Summer Institute 2026 is where it comes to life! Join educators from across the state July 7–9 in Tupelo for a collaborative learning experience rooted in the arts.

Register today: https://mswholeschools.org/

Mississippi Whole Schools is always inspired by the educators who are leading, creating, and sharing their work in meani...
05/28/2026

Mississippi Whole Schools is always inspired by the educators who are leading, creating, and sharing their work in meaningful ways.

In the latest blog post, Teaching Artist Coordinator Amanda Koonlaba explores how educators can build a strong, intentional online presence—from showcasing student learning to connecting with others in the field.

It’s a thoughtful, practical read for anyone navigating how to show up online in a way that feels authentic and aligned with their work.

Read the full post: https://mswholeschools.org/blog_post/building-a-strong-online-presence/

05/26/2026

Opening keynote speaker Ron Clark is bringing practical, high-impact strategies educators can actually use — including simple classroom techniques that create meaningful engagement without adding more to your plate.

We can’t wait to welcome Ron Clark to the 2026 Mississippi Whole Schools Summer Institute July 7–9 in Tupelo, Mississippi!

If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time: https://mswholeschools.org/

Ron Clark

Address

501 North West Street, Woolfolk Building-Suite 1011A
Jackson, MS
39201

Telephone

+16013596040

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