Connecting Hearts
and Minds
Arts and Humanities Academy
2014
at
Desert Learning Center
721 East Chanslorway
Blythe, California, 92225
info@desertlearningcenter.org
Desert Learning Center
presents AHA, the Summer Arts and Humanities
Academy! Desert Learning Center is an
Independent School located in the beautiful Palo
Verde Valley on the Colorado River. Our
students find joy in experiential learning through
discovery.
George and Sherri Amerman generously
bequeathed their summer curriculum to Desert
Learning Center. AHA! 2014 will be held at the
beautiful Theater of Palo Verde College.
Desert Learning Center’s AHA! 2014 program
follows the Amermans’ lead to serve our
community and to bring the joy of the arts and
humanities to local students.
in a musical production the final day of the
program.
PHILOSOPHY
History – we integrate a study of heroes and
social ethics through art and musical theater
performances.
Arts and humanities, famously associated with
the right half of the brain, connect the
educational process to the heart and soul of the
learner. Exposure and training in these areas
lead to well-rounded children who connect
meaningfully with content and with other people
and who find personal fulfillment.
A limited number of motivated students, ages
five through fourteen, will study music, art,
theater, and history for four weeks. We will
explore several disciplines and receive daily
guidance about experiencing, appreciating, and
participating in the arts. Age exceptions may be
made on an individual basis.
SCHEDULE
Classes begin Monday, June 23 and continue
through July 18, 2014, meeting Monday through
Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Students
have lunch and a relaxation break from 12 –1:00
p.m. July 4 is a holiday.
CURRICULUM
The curriculum at AHA! 2014 reflects the
emerging interests of students.
Art – color theory and water color; shading and
line with pencil and charcoal drawing; sculpture
modeling and carving; proportion and
perspective; art appreciation; and set design.
Music – beginning music theory; introduction to
instruments (brass, reeds, percussion, strings);
vocal music, particularly songs of the twentieth
century for the musical production; and music
appreciation.
Drama – improvisational theater games;
pantomime; monologue; understanding a script;
costuming; drama appreciation; and participation
INSTRUCTION
We expect our students to possess fluent
English and math skills appropriate to their age
and grade level. These skills will be used in our
studies.
The daily program will consist of presentations,
activities, readings, videos, workshops,
rehearsals, performances, and discussions.
Small group instruction, hands-on guidance,
practice in various learning centers, and
performing will consume the majority of our time
together.
The interests and discoveries of the learners
and judgment of the staff will guide decisions
about subject matter, depth, and complexity.
Evaluation will be individual, personal and ongoing, shared between teachers, students and
parents/guardians.
Homework will not be assigned. Students will be
encouraged to learn lines from their scripts,
continue investigations after class, and share
findings with their fellows.
At the conclusion of AHA! 2014, students and
parents will receive an oral and written review of
strengths and weaknesses observed. All who
complete the full four-week program will be
given a Certificate of Completion with an
inclusive listing of accomplishments and a
portfolio of representative work.
BEHAVIOR
Students must understand and follow the rules
of conduct listed below. Inappropriate behavior
distracts us from our goals and is unfair to
others. After one warning, every effort will be
made to communicate the problem and our
expectations for correction to the
parents/guardians. If these are not met, the
student will be dismissed.
RULES OF CONDUCT Students will:
* attend punctually;
* participate fully and respectfully;
* obey staff immediately and discuss later;
* follow guidelines for safety;
* not bring electronic devices or toys to classes.
ATTENDANCE
Progress depends on achieving daily goals that
promote meaningful development. Students may
be dropped for non-attendance. Family
vacations must be approved in advance of
acceptance. No “make-up” work will be offered.
NUTRITION BREAK
A nutritious snack will be served daily and is
included in the fee. Students with dietary
problems may bring their own snacks.
VISITORS/STUDENT CONTACT
Parents may visit and participate at any time.
Students may not arrive late for classes or leave
early except in an emergency.
Electronic devices may not be used during AHA!
2014 so that students can develop other skills.
FEES
The tuition for AHA! 2014 includes instruction,
materials, and equipment use.
 Full, four-week program: $400.
 Three weeks: $350.
 Two weeks: $250.
A deposit of $125 must accompany all
applications. The remainder is due in full by
June 1, 2014. The deposit is non refundable.
Should the student drop, other payments will be
refunded less $20/day for each day the student
actually attended. Refunds will be made by
September 1, 2014. Should the student be
dismissed, no portion of tuition is refunded.
ACCEPTANCE
The successful applicant is interested in
learning, has good attendance, and behaves
respectfully. A positive recommendation from a
previous teacher is required.
Acceptance will be based on:
 Teacher recommendation; and
 Previous grades, attendance and
behavior.
THE STAFF
Crystal Lester (art) has been a teacher for
fifteen years. A native of North Dakota, Crystal is
an avid hunter and fisher woman. She holds
undergraduate degrees from the University of
North Dakota at Williston and a Bachelor of
Science in Education degree from Montana
State University at Billings, and a Master of
Education degree from Grand Canyon University
in Phoenix, Arizona. Crystal served as an art
teacher in Kindergarten through Grade 8 in
Montana. In addition to being a certified
elementary teacher, Crystal is certified in Gifted
and Talented Education and is a member of the
California Association for the Gifted. Married to
Dean Lester, a farmer from Blythe, Crystal
enjoys hand building with clay, sculpture, and
mixed-media photo montage. She has two lovely
daughters and has written and illustrated her
first of what may be a series of award-winning
children’s books.
Erik Mickelson (drama) holds a Master’s
Degree in Education from University of
California, Riverside and is a teacher specialist
in the Palm Springs Unified School District. He
also is an instructor for University of California,
Riverside and an educational consultant
throughout California and the United States. His
extensive background includes working with
gifted and talented students, parents, and
teachers. His belief is that school should not
only be a place for rigorous academics, but also
should provide a safe and nurturing environment
for students to explore creativity and areas of
interest.
Daren Sprawls (music) earned a Bachelor of
Arts Degree from the University of Southern
California in Cinema and Television Studies. He
has taught English as a Second Language to
third through eighth graders at El Colegio De
Lois Hart in Chile. Daren substituted in the Palo
Verde Unified School District in third through
twelfth grades in all subjects, with a long-term
assignment in tenth through twelfth grade
English. He currently teaches English, history,
art, and science to students in Grades Five
through Eight, and physical education to
students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight at
Desert Learning Center.
John Tribelhorn (music) is one of the newest
additions to the faculty at Palo Verde College,
where he is working to develop and expand the
music course offerings, including the founding of
the college’s first music ensemble. He is a
graduate of the University of Redlands School of
Music, where he earned Bachelor and Master of
Music degrees in trumpet performance. John
was a frequent soloist (on trumpet and piano) in
many of the university's ensembles. John has
performed, recorded, composed, and arranged
music for a variety of Southern California
classical, jazz, and popular music groups. He
specializes in working with groups that have
unique or experimental instrumentation and
works with students that are new to music. John
looks forward to using his diverse musical
background to promote live music and music
education in He currently teaches Music Theory,
Music Appreciation, and History of Rock and
Roll as well as piano and trumpet at Palo Verde
College.