Empower EDU

This session highlights a competency-based micro-credential offered through the Office of Rural Promise titled “Leveraging the Arts to Identify and Characterize Emotions.” Participants will explore how creative expression can be intentionally designed to strengthen emotional vocabulary, support social-emotional development, and improve learner engagement.Attendees will review the structure of the micro-credential, including the supporting research base, clearly defined outcomes, and evidence requirements that ensure measurable application of skills. The session will also examine how performance-based artifacts and reflection are used to demonstrate competency rather than seat-time completion.Participants will leave with adaptable lesson frameworks, practical templates, and clear “do’s and don’ts” for effective arts integration. Emphasis will be placed on designing learning experiences that are human-centered, competency-driven, and scalable across diverse learning environments.