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Exploring Opera: Lausd salary points
Take Your Career to the Next Level with LAUSD Salary Points
Calling all LAUSD teachers: Expand your horizons through Exploring Opera and earn up to two LAUSD salary points.
Using the guidelines outlined by LAUSD, please note the following ways to earn up to two Salary Points in the 2025/26 season (see prices below). If needed, refer to LA Opera’s Homework Menu to view outside preparation assignments, which can be combined to achieve the total homework hours required. Below is a guide for calculating how you can achieve LAUSD Salary Points through LA Opera’s Exploring Opera: A Learning Series.
To sign up for LAUSD Salary Points, register for Exploring Opera at the link below and answer "Yes" to the question "Are you participating for LAUSD Salary Points?" during the registration process. Our friendly Program Manager will reach out and schedule a phone call to discuss your needs and help you find and purchase the right package for you.
For 1 Salary Point - choose one of the following:
- Attend six Saturday sessions ($120) for 30 class hours with no outside preparation
- Attend three Saturday sessions ($60) for 15 class hours AND complete 30 hours of outside preparation detailed in LA Opera’s Homework Menu
For 2 Salary Points:
- Attend six Saturday sessions ($120) for 30 class hours AND complete 60 hours of outside preparation detailed in LA Opera’s Homework Menu
End of Season Submission Instructions
1. After your final session, please complete LA Opera’s Record of Participation.
2. Email all written and supporting materials and send images of ticket stubs to Tate Shoebridge at TShoebridge@laopera.org.
Tate Shoebridge
LA Opera Connects
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
3. When sending written work to fulfill LAUSD homework guidelines, please be sure of the following:
- All submissions are typed.
- All lesson plans follow appropriate lesson plan protocols.
- Submissions reflect adequate study and professional quality.
4. Once all materials have been processed by LA Opera, we will complete an NA-Form to submit to LAUSD for processing of your salary point(s) and email you a copy for your records.
5. Please note: LAUSD can take up to three months to process salary points after the NA-Form has been submitted. To track your progress, please visit http://achieve.lausd.net/salary.
Homework Menu
Please select from the menu below and attach your work and evidence. There will be opportunities for you to engage with LA Opera staff during each Opera for Educators session to refine and develop your materials. You will need to complete 15 in-class hours and 30 homework hours to achieve one salary point. For two salary points, you will need to complete 30 in-class hours and 60 homework hours.
Homework
Attend one opera and write a three page essay/review. Total time: 10 hours.
Requirements
Attend the pre-opera lecture (1 hour) and the accompanying opera (3 hours) and complete a three-page essay including information about the opera and composer, assessing artistic choices, examining potential classroom application(s), and make connections to materials learned in class sessions. (6 hours).
Attend one opera. Total time: 3-4 hours.
Time dependent upon whether or not teacher attends pre-opera talk.
Create one opera lesson plan. Total time: 5 hours
Lesson must include evidence from class sessions and/or LA Opera teacher materials, and an assessment tool (rubric or other).
Participate in Community Opera. Nine workshops and two performances. Total time: 44 hours
Teachers learn and perform opera in a spectacular community pageant. At seven staging and singing workshops, teachers work with LA Opera professional staff to learn their parts in the opera and rehearse as an ensemble. The performance week adds a full set, sound and lighting equipment, community choirs. and an orchestra. Includes two, one-hour performances (with an additional hour call time before each one) for over 4,000 audience members at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown LA.
Watch one opera recording and write a three-page essay/review. Total time: 7 hours
Watch a recording of an opera from the current LA Opera season (3 hrs) and write a critical review or essay comparing the opera to the place/time in history in which it was set. Alternatively, compare and contrast the opera with the source material (play, novel, etc.), examining potential classroom applications while making connections to session materials (4 hrs).
Create a one-unit plan. Total time: 15 hours
Must contain at least two lessons, an assessment tool (rubric), and two or more performance tasks from which to choose.
Participate in Zarzuela Project. Total time: 15 hours
Learn to sing Spanish-language opera (1.5 hrs per rehearsal). Performance possibilities are included for extra hours (1.5 hrs).
Administer an opera lesson plan and provide evidence. Total time: 10 hours
Must include lesson materials, rubric, and assessment data from students.
Bring students to Opera Prep and provide evidence (can be combined with opera lesson for additional credit). Total time: 8 hours
Attend in-service (1 hr), pre-opera career connection talk with students (1 hr), opera with students (3 hrs), and have students complete pre- and post-program assessments, including teacher reflection on perceived impact of program on students (3 hrs).
Bring students to Elementary Student Matinee and provide evidence (can be combined with opera lesson for additional credit). Total time: 4 hours
Attend matinee (1 hr) and provide student reflections from assignment based on LA Opera materials, including teacher reflection on perceived impact of program on students (3 hrs).