Edward Varner | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

Edward Varner has been an educator, musician, percussionist, actor, and arts education specialist and advocate for more than 30 years. He has taught award winning K-12 music programs in California, Nevada, and Washington State and presented language experience, music, arts, and literacy workshops for the National Association for Music Education, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the International Reading Association, the Virginia Reading Association, the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools, the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the International Conference on Education (HI), the Arts Time Conference (WA), Montana State University, the California Arts Project, Great Basin College, and a variety of school districts. He provided seven years of arts leadership as the supervisor of music and art education for the Great Falls Public Schools in Great Falls, MT and is currently the Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, PA.

Ed holds a BA in Music from CSU, Los Angeles. He completed the Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership in 2005 from the University of British Columbia, and earned the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in School Leadership from Concordia University Chicago in 2017.

“As an educator, I have always been a firm believer in the philosophies if integration and differentiation of curriculum to better meet the needs of students. I must know my students in order to adequately and effectively meet them where they are and help them progress to the next level. This philosophy of knowing your students necessitates the added element of care. Educators must care for their students, themselves, and have the fortitude to continue caring when it appears that others have surrendered.” - Edward Varner

Current position (1)

Director of Visual & Performing Arts

Milton Hershey School

Degrees (4)

Doctor of Education in School Leadership

Concordia University Chigago

2014 to 2017

Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration

University of British Columbia

2003 to 2005

California Teaching Credential

San Jose State University

1990 to 1991

BA in Music

California State University, Los Angeles

1987 to 1989

Presentations

Presentations (3)

Creativity, SEL, and the Important Role of Play in the Classroom

This workshop is meant to be a celebration of the very important role of play in education and a reminder that teachers also have a responsibility to teach to creativity, student engagement, and ongoing student success in school – more than your written curriculum.

The Fun Factor: Relevance, Rigor, and FUN Can and Should Coexist in the Classroom

All learning needs to be active and fun. Students need to respond to their academic life by moving, singing, playing instruments, creating, and having fun. The linking of academic information with actual life experiences encourages students to be actively involved. This active involvement, the fun factor, will lead to better assimilation and retention of information. It will also encourage greater student interest and motivation and help to establish a more efficient environment for learning. Relevance, rigor, and fun can and should coexist in the classroom.

Take Time in Life: Finding Success, Finding Balance, and Enjoying the Ride

Who are you? You were born to dance, sing, act, create, make music and play. And then- life happened! This presentation helps participants explore personal strengths and challenges to living an authentic and creative life.