Drawing upon over a decade of working in public schools, Big Jon Short also provides assemblies, workshops, lectures and professional development on the history, development and importance of blues music in American culture to students and K-12 educators. Holding a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instructional Technology and Orff Level III certification he is able to incorporate state frameworks into presentations and workshops that address learning standards across the curriculum.
Available for artist residency and after school programs his “Blues in Schools” programs have served as enrichment in the arts and academic curriculum. Using large and small group activities his programs range from single 45-60min presentations to ongoing workshops that can provide instruction in singing, dance, songwriting and instrument lessons for individual, group and ensembles (guitar, harmonica, piano, bass, drums, Orff instruments).
With twelve years of experience as a classroom teacher, after-school and athletics onsite coordinator he has been able to provide in-school and after school programs for groups ranging between 5 and 95 students at a time and professional development programs for educators in multiple school districts, pediatric care facilities and YMCAs between Central MA and Downstate NY.
Recent partnerships include two multiple NAMM Grant Recipients: Raising The Blues, Ltd and Guitars In The Classroom with his inaugural GITC program sponsored by Martin Guitars, D’Addario Strings, Dunlop capos and Intelli-Touch Tuners.
