707 955-5780
Overview
The Lions Den Education Institute (LDEI) was established to provide communities opportunities to instill empowerment, self-determination and a sense of accomplishment to the children of the area. With these basic human attributes ingrained into the youth of our communities, enlightenment is assured for our future.
Our mission here at the LDEI is to fill the education gap created by the mainstream.
Our vision is to see every child learn to appreciate their self-worth, resilience and power.
Social emotional skills gained from our program are self-confidence, teamwork, and perseverance.
Success of the program will be measured in three ways; by the obvious joy in the children's minds and hearts and the culminating event produced, and an online anonymous survey students and parents can fill out to give feedback.
Historically school programs focused on academic content, here at LDEI, we understand children are multifaceted and deserve to have every aspect of their being served. Our program broadens children's horizons by teaching them…to keep going when its hard and that's when things pay off.
Our program develops character by having students work closely together, building an interdependence that shows working on the same goal moves all forward. Building much needed community awareness.
Goals Instill empowerment, self-determination and a sense of accomplishment to the children of the area to instill Self-confidence, Teamwork, Enlightenment for their future.
Head Lion Tyehimba Kokayi has a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in the Arts!
Also a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies and a Minor in Dance.
OUR NEW HOME:
COTATI MOVES
THE LIONS DEN EDUCATION INSTITUTE
SHARING COMMUNITY CULTURAL ENLIGHTENMENT
With West African Drumming and Dance
Performing Arts-Juggling, Acrobatics, and Balance
Also Jazz Dance, Tap Dance and Zumba
WELCOME IN DA DEN!
The Lion's Den Education Institute (LDEI), offers a fun and exciting way to feel good by exploring West African culture and circus arts with challenging hands on experiences by teaching Drumming and Dance, Juggling, Acrobatics, Stiltwalking, and Klowing; thus improving character, self expression, esteem, confidence, discipline, focus, and determination increasing respect for family values.
LDEI offers a fully comprehensive Education Curriculum, as well as an Afterschool program that offers talented professional instruction in various circus arts skills including juggling, acrobatics, klowning, rope tricks, magic, balance board, wheel walking, stilt walking.
Success in school starts in the home with support of the family. We here at LDEI base our entire pedocological strategy on inter-generational family support, which is consistent with our traditional West African family consciousness.
The respect in the hierarchical structure of many traditional West African groups is employed here. The younger person always respects the elder even if they are only older by 1 day, 1 hour, 1 minute. The elder therefore has the responsibility to do the correct thing because the younger person is counting on their guidance.
We Have Found
OUR HOME
We have finally found a place to call home.
Our West African drum workshops were temporarily being held in Santa Rosa CA.
After actively seeking a space to offer our fun and exciting way to feel good, by exploring West African culture with challenging hands-on experiences drumming and dancing. We have found
Cotati Moves
We teach how to use the drum and dance to create an energy circle that makes spiritual connections with the ancestors, other drummers and dancers to promote feelings of unity, community, and harmony, which improves character, self expression, self esteem, self confidence, discipline, focus, and determination thus increasing respect for family values.
Items For Rent
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7 Djembe drums
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2 Dun nuns (bass drums)
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Juggling Equipment
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Materials to Make Your Own Juggling Bean Bags
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Set of Stilts
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2 Cow Bells
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2 Shakeres
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1 Ago-go Bell
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1 Balance Board
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Male and Female Costumes
