This is a special art education episode featuring art teacher extraordinairre, Danielle Leveston. She teaches in a suburban Cook County Jr. High School, and this interview takes place just prior to the 20/21 school year. We learn just how anxiety-provoking the planning process is during the pandemic. Very little seems set, making it difficult to prepare, and this year teachers need to expect that everything will change at a moment's notice. So much teaching will be done virtually, (or will it) which is especially difficult for art teachers who's instruction is so hands-on.

Danielle shares how things are up in the air for her school year, but she still demonstrates, professionalism, flexibility and grace while sharing hopes for the ideal; like integrated multi-disciplinary approachs such as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineeriing, Art and Math). She speaks to the importance of ensuring lessons and curriculums pay respect to the Black Lives Matter movement. In addition to learning about Danielle's teacher persona, we learn about how she finds balance and exercises her creative muscles through her arts-based small businesses.   

Note: Kites and Strings will typically drop an episode every two weeks, but because of this episode's timely nature, it is being dropped on an alternating week, between two regularly scheduled episodes.   

Danielle's website and social media links:
Paintin and Poppin Facebook Page
Skys the Limit Art Academy Website

The Kites & Strings theme song is By Harrison Amir and other original Music for today's episode is from pixabay.com/music/