Educator Hour

Date: December 2, 2025

Location: 155 Chandler Street - Suite 4, Buffalo, NY 14207

Time: 4:00 to 5:30 PM

Teachers are natural improvisers, problem solvers, and collaborators.  This session covers the core improv principle of "yes, and", the application through games, and discussion on how to implement in the classroom.  Improv also fits into Restorative Practice, highlighting communication, listening, and encouragement of new ideas, even if they fail.  No one is expected to be a seasoned comedian, but everyone leaves laughing; its funny how that works!

Exercises involve light physical activity including walking, clapping, and (optional) jumping. All activities learned can be modified to accommodate folks of all abilities. Participants are recommended to wear closed toed shoes and attire that is easy to move around in (business casual works great). All you need to bring is a willingness to try something new!

https://www.buffalocomedycollective.com/

Register Here

Date: January 7, 2026

Location: 284 Plymouth Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213

Time: 4:00 to 6:00 PM

Tour WNY's only comprehensive textile arts center and learn how our flagship program, the Refugee Women's Workshop, is elevating the voices of refugee artisans and helping to preserve global textile traditions. Following the tour, you'll enjoy a textile craft project that promotes relaxation and a flow-state of focused, calming creativity.

https://www.stitchbuffalo.org/

Register Here

Date: February 25, 2026

Location: 468 Washington Street, Buffalo, New York 14203

Time: 4:30 to 6:30 PM

Our first “two-for-one” Educator Hour! Participants will be split into two groups and will spend 1 hour with each location.

At Just Buffalo Literary Center, educators will learn about the literary programming provided including workshops, readings, in-school residencies, and field trips. Participants will have the opportunity to explore their own creative writing, engage in conversations about process, and grow as writers. https://www.justbuffalo.org/

At WNY Book Arts, educators will receive a tour of Book Arts’ galleries, printmaking studios, and artisan shop, and participate in a brief demo workshop. Following step-by-step, educators will learn how this workshop can be modified for successful classroom use with a wide range of grade levels. https://wnybookarts.org/

Registration opens 1/5/2026

Date: March 18, 2026

Location: 2495 Main Street, Suite 310, Buffalo, NY 14214

Time: 4:00 to 6:00 PM

Join us to learn about Squeaky Wheel’s 40 year history providing film and media art education, equipment access, and exhibitions to the Buffalo community, followed by a tour of the spring 2026 exhibition Face Off: Avatars and Embodiments in Digital Media. The exhibition focuses on the use of avatars to complicate identities and expose biased algorithms, and includes animation, experimental documentary, machinima (films made inside of virtual worlds), and more. We’ll finish the session with a discussion and hands-on media art activity in response to the exhibition.

https://squeaky.org/

Registration opens 1/5/2026

Date: April 30, 2026

Location: 180 Thompson Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120

Time: 4:30 to 6:00 PM

Educators will receive a tour of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum where they will discover historical uses of simple machines within the amusement industry, culminating with a ride on the 1916 Number One Special Carrousel. They will also participate in the Museum’s award winning STEM program where they will build their own complex machine; a moving carousel horse out of household materials based on principles learned during the tour.

https://www.carrouselmuseum.org

Registration opens 1/5/2026

Date: June 9, 2026

Location: 203 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY 14201

Time: 4:00 to 5:30 PM

Join Theatre of Youth for a hands-on, joy-filled Educator Hour designed to inspire your classroom with creative tools from the world of theatre!

Learn about TOY’s mission to serve over 30,000 young people annually through live theatre and arts education. Then, get ready to experience our programming just like your students would — through dynamic theatre-based activities that spark imagination, build teamwork, and strengthen storytelling skills.

Led by TOY’s professional Teaching Artists, this session will include:
🎭 A sample warm-up and theatre game focused on collaboration and classroom engagement
🗣️ A short improvisation and story-building exercise
🧠 A peek at our pre/post-show educational materials and how they tie into ELA and SEL curriculum goals
📝 Plus, an overview of workshop offerings, school field trips, and customizable residencies

Whether you teach Pre-K or middle school, you’ll leave with a better understanding of how theatre can support creativity, literacy, and social-emotional learning in your classroom — along with new tools you can implement right away.

https://theatreofyouth.org/

Registration opens 1/5/2026