The Creativity Department speaks with Jeannine Flores, Vice Chair of Create CA. Listen in to this informative conversation about building vibrant and visible local alliances that spark partnerships and spread art advocacy. Learn how Create CA is working to ensure every student receives a complete and creative education.

In this episode – The Creativity Department talks with Kerri Smith, author of Wreck This Journal! Joining them is Carrie Baughcum, author of My Pencil Made Me Do It. Each author talks about their approach to sketch noting as art and as a form of self-care. Discover what inspired the creation of their books, their creative process, and how the prompts for their books came to be.

In this episode – Team Grundler are chatting together about how to deal with end of the year burnout and reigniting the joy of teaching. Matt and Laura also go over your answers from the chat, stories from the art room and multiple happy teacher moments!

In this episode The Creativity Department wraps up their chat with NAEA Leadership about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I). This meaningful conversation, driven by questions and topics sent in for discussion from art educators in the field, continues to explore details we all must deeply consider when thinking through the work needed to create social transformation and remove barriers. From thoughtful insight to support and resources this discussion is packed with strategies you can put into use today.

In this episode – The Creativity Department chats with NAEA Leadership about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I). This meaningful conversation, driven by questions and topics sent in for discussion from art educators in the field, dives into the detail we all must deeply consider when thinking through the work to be done to bring about social transformation and remove barriers. From thoughtful insight to support and resources this discussion is packed with strategies you can put into use today.

Matt and Laura chat with Keisha Casiano about dignity in the art room. How do you teach students about mindsets and to be proud of who they are, no matter their disability? It’s harder than it sounds, that’s where Keisha comes in. She has years of experience working with students with disabilities and learning to overcome her own disability. Whether it’s using a piece of cardboard to paint or another unconventional method, Keisha and the Grundler’s share resources to help you help your students.

The Creativity Department talks with Dr. Dorothy VanderJagt of iFireUp about embedded professional learning. Dr. VanderJagt dives into the importance of developing a culture of trust among educator colleagues to ensure a safe space exists. Meaningful PD is built on this trust and the ability to safely cross examine and collaborate. When PD is embedded in the workday - like learning walks or during staff meetings – there will be natural connections that will ultimately support the students.

Orlando Bolaños talks with the Creativity department about Social Engagement Practice, how our art rooms are mirroring the diversity of our students, and how Culturally Relevant Pedagogy can be used to achieve teaching goals. Orlando goes into detail about how a student’s own identity can be used to develop strong student-teacher relationships and advocate for growth in the art room.

The Creativity Department speaks with Sandra Munoz & Esmerelda Fernandez, bilingual art educators from Plano, Texas. Sandra and Esmerelda share their experiences with ELs, the communities they come from, and how the arts can help them find their personal identities. It’s not always easy to create equity in bilingual communities, but Sandra and Esmerelda share their stories and resources on how to make it happen!

In this episode – the Creativity Department talks with Dr. Desiree Alexander about building relationships with students in the art room and promoting connection with students with a variety of backgrounds and "lenses". Class identity and collective culture within the art room can be difficult to implement, but as Dr. Alexander explains – it can help students open up with their art.