Other Professional Development Resources:

6th Annual LEAD Conference, (Learning Early to Appreciate Diversity).
This year’s Multicultural Conference theme is “Creating rich multicultural learning experiences with Interactive Learning.” The conference will be held at Point Park University in the Spring of 2011. Act 48 credits available. Check the Multicultural Teacher Conference page for announcements.

Pittsburgh Folk Festival: Multicultural Education Program

Dear Principals and Teachers:

The Pittsburgh Folk Festival, Inc., is a non-profit organization whose mission statement is to promote and preserve “Unity in Diversity.” To accomplish that, each year we present an annual Folk Festival that highlights the cultural diversity of the Greater Pittsburgh and Tri-State area. The Pittsburgh Folk Festival has grown from seventeen in 1956 to over 30 nationalities or cultures that participated in 2008. We will be celebrating our 54th festival at the Monroeville Convention Center, May 18-20, 2012. Click here for driving directions to the Monroeville Convention Center.

On the first day of the festival, (Friday, May 18th, 2012), in conjunction with our non-profit sister organization, The World Cultures Education Consortium of Western PA, we are once again proud to offer the “Multicultural Educational Program – Around the World in One Day”, to elementary and middle schools (grades 2-9). For a nominal fee, this program provides students with a unique opportunity to learn and experience a variety of cultures in a single day trip. The objective of this educational experience is to promote a better understanding of various peoples by learning about their history, culture and customs. For pictures of the program from previous years, click here.

Please click here to register for the MCEP program.

This educational program meets curriculum guidelines for multicultural education by offering student participation in folk crafts; performances of traditional ethnic dances, songs and music; and cultural exhibits where students can learn about a people’s history, geography and customs. Lunch is NOT INCLUDED in the program fee but the international kitchens will be open during the program and offering any number of ethnic dishes to the students at a reasonable price. In addition, the international marketplace will be open for browsing and shopping.

Cost of the program is $8 per student, if paid before February 15th ($9 per student after). One chaperone/aide per 15 students is required and free. Additional chaperones pay $5 each.

If you are interested in taking your class to the unique “Around the World in One Day” multicultural education program, please click on the GREEN REGISTER NOW button and complete the registration form.

If you require additional information about the Pittsburgh Folk Festival, its sister organization, The World Cultures Education Consortium of Western PA, or the Multicultural Education Program itself, feel free to contact us by email at education@pghfolkfest.org or by calling our office at 412-278-1267 and leaving a message.

I hope your students will be able to attend this year’s program and learn about the area’s rich and diverse cultural heritages as well as enjoy themselves while learning.

Sincerely,

Karen Hall, EdD, ABD
President, Board of Directors
Pittsburgh Folk Festival, Inc.
Chairperson, Board of Trustees
World Cultures Educational Consortium WPA