Petra has 20 years of experience teaching art and media. She has worked at art schools, like Greater Lansing Artspace as an Associate Artistic Director and Teacher, Kidz Art of Okemos, as an art teacher and Little Artshram in Traverse City, as a puppet maker, parade coordinator and teacher. She has taught high school level video production, photography and new media in Lansing and the IISD. Her experience at Lansing Schools started in 1995, and includes working as a contracted employee and creating storytelling, art and KTV Kids Television Programs at Mt. Hope and CLCCA. She has also been a Video Production Teacher, Elementary and High School Level Safe Schools Specialist, Peace Promoter, Educational Video Producer and Evaluation Technician.
Honors and Activities
To view some examples of her work please visit:
Recycled Material Puppet Making and Theater – Grades 3-5
Puppets are great tools for teaching concepts. Petra shares the history and magic of the tradition of puppets as storytellers. In addition, she includes an environmental component by creating puppets with recycled materials. In this workshop, students learn about the history of puppetry and practice basic puppet making skills. Puppetry is also used to demonstrate environmental stewardship and advocacy through the use of recycled and found objects. Student will create 3‐4 projects depending on ability. Projects could include stick, shadow, sock or found object art puppets. Improvisation, performances and storytelling encouraged.