K12ArtChat the Podcast

In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Dr. Jaime Dombrowski! Author of Power Up: Gamification Tools for Social and Emotional Learning, she talks with Matt & Laura about how art can transcend language and be used to promote inclusivity and emotional wellbeing. Listen in for expert experience on how students can use art to promote empathy, communicate who they are and what they value, build decision making skills by working in teams, and foster meaningful relationships.  

In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by long time music teacher, Jonathan Seligman! Dive into the similarities between Art and Music curriculum, the challenges both face with advocacy, and creative ways the two can support one another to promote the importance arts hold in educating today’s students.  Listen in and be inspired with ways to showcase both art and music without one overpowering the other. 

In this episode, Matt and Laura are joined by Dr. Cyndi Burnett, Director of Possibilities at Creativity and Education, to discuss what a deliberate approach to creativity looks like and how that scientific perspective parallels the artist process of creativity.  Listen in as they explore everything from the relationship between creativity and the arts, to modeling creative behaviors to students and how creative thinking in the arts transfers to other disciplines.  

In This episode, The Creativity Department discusses neurodivergent thinking.  This is when the brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered "typical."  Being neurodivergent themselves, Matt and Laura share their personal experiences. Listen in as they talk about the different ways they learn, the difficulties they overcame while in school, strategies they use to help their own children, and how all of this is reflected in their teaching. 

In This episode, the Creativity Department is joined by the Program Director of the Success Academy, Dr. Janice Wyatt Ross. During the discussion they dive into strategies for building environments that welcome students, provide a positive impact on their engagement and equity, and foster pride and ownership. Listen in for ideas on strengthening the climate and culture in your own school to ensure it is both welcoming and nurturing

The Creativity Crew is back! Candido Crespo, Raine Valentine, and Joe Boatfield join Matt and Laura to discuss the stresses and challenges that come with a new school year. Listen in for tips on how to structure your classroom, storage, and materials. Discover new ways to manage students’ experience during class and engage them with what they’re learning. 

Matt and Laura are joined by returning guest Connie Jimenez Zammett! As a high school art educator, Connie teaches students at a pivotal time in their life when they’re not just learning inside of the art room, but also life skills outside of it. This episode’s discussion revolves around that – how can important art skills like big ideas and inquiries translate outside the art room? Listen in to hear Connie’s strategies and experiences. 

In this episode, Matt and Laura are joined by Matt Dombrowski – the Creative Director of Limbitless Solutions and a professor at the School of Art and Design at the University of Central Florida. They talk about the impact of visual storytelling in the art room and how to implement different strategies. Along with a background in Media Arts, Matt is the creative director for Limbitless solutions – an organization that provides bionic limbs for children in need. Listen in to hear Matt’s story! 

CAEA’s 2020 Elementary Art Teacher of the year and NAEA’s 2021 Pacific Region Elementary Art Teacher of the Year, Alyssa Navapanich joins the Creativity Department this episode! Hear their tips and tricks for a successful start of the school year as well as the difficulties they’ve faced in the past few years with online and hybrid learning. Listen in to find out if you can utilize these strategies! 

Enjoy this discussion with award-winning multidisciplinary artist and game designer Momo Pixel. From the popular interactive annual exhibition called Momoland, to the viral sensation that is Hair Nah, this engaging session dives into Momo’s pixel filled world. Discover the career path she followed to get to where she is today and come away with inspiring ideas and information to share with students.