How Performing Arts and Mindfulness Are Central to Learning

In this special episode, Jemar Lee, a Future of School student scholarship winner who is currently a student at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, interviews Melissa Dobbs, founder of the Metropolitan School of the Arts.

Melissa discusses her school’s evolution from a for-profit afterschool extracurricular program in 2001 into a non-profit, full-time academic and arts conservatory today. She initially pursued a career in the performing arts, and after 12 years of running a performing arts school, she realized the burnout rate of students. She wanted to do something to help students who weren’t reaching their full potential as artists, academics, or citizens.

Melissa goes on to share her recommendations for more student-centered schools. She discusses mindfulness practices such as breathing, meditation, and learning how to reprogram our brains to deregulate their nervous systems to avoid burnout. She also touches on a few specific student success stories.

Jemar asks Melissa to share one big idea for learners to take away and she shares a couple of important thoughts. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” is one idea that students of all interests and abilities can learn from.

Subscribe to Future of School: The Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your other preferred app to stay up-to-date on all new episodes.

Learn more about Future of School and its mission to mobilize change in American K-12 education from a one-size-fits-all system to one that ensures all students reach their unbounded potential no matter where their learning takes place at www.futureof.school. Follow Future of School on Twitter @futureof_school and follow Amy Valentine @amyvalentine555 to keep up-to-date on exciting initiatives and opportunities.

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Jemar Lee

Jemar Lee was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Jemar is a junior in High School and attends Iowa BIG. Iowa BIG is a learner-centered environment that makes learners into makers, designers, storytellers, and social entrepreneurs with exposure and interactions with organizations, business partners, and the community. Jemar is a firm believer that education needs to be restructured for the benefit of us learners, to make sure we enjoy our learning and fully succeed. He believes, “Changing the structure of education won’t be easy, but we can do it!”
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Melissa Dobbs

Melissa, originally from the Washington, DC area, is a highly sought after movement professional who has spent the last 20 years innovating, creating and cultivating a leading performing arts school in Alexandria, VA. During her time as Founder and Executive Director of Metropolitan School of the Arts, she had the opportunity to train thousands of young dancers who have gone on to perform and study in some of the most prestigious and acclaimed venues and schools in the world.
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How Performing Arts and Mindfulness Are Central to Learning

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