In this episode of TAB Storytellers, Jen and Abi sit down with longtime TAB educator Tom Burkle and preservice art educator Liam Schneider for a beautiful full-circle conversation about teaching, mentorship, student agency, and what it means to grow into TAB over time. Liam was once Tom’s elementary art student, later became Abi’s student at the University of Northern Colorado, and recently returned to Tom’s classroom as a student teacher. Together, they reflect on Tom’s early move toward choice, the small classroom moments that can shift an educator’s whole philosophy, and the power of seeing students, and future teachers, as capable artists and thinkers.

The conversation moves through TAB history in Colorado, curriculum design, artist statements, classroom management, confidence-building, and the real planning and organization behind a choice-based studio. Tom and Liam also talk honestly about behavior, routines, individualized consequences, and the importance of reflective mentorship in helping new teachers stay grounded, curious, and willing to try again.

Bonus update: Since this conversation was recorded in March (yes Abi was busy and yes she got behind and is playing catch up), Liam graduated and has found a job! He will be teaching high school pottery next year in the same town near Tom, and they are both excited for this next chapter. Here is a pic of Abi and Liam from the right before Liam graduated.

Resources

• Teaching for Artistic Behavior / TAB: Official TAB website and starting place for learning more about TAB pedagogy, practice, professional development, and community.  https://teachingforartisticbehavior.org

• TAB Community on Mighty Networks: Online community for TAB educators to connect, ask questions, and share resources. https://teaching-for-artistic-behavior-inc.mn.co/

• Fred Tjardes School of Innovation, Greeley, Colorado: Mentioned by Liam and Abi as a powerful example of inquiry, student agency, theme-based learning, and choice-centered practice beyond the art room.  https://ftsoi.greeleyschools.org/

• Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe: Tom mentions this book as part of his early thinking around curriculum, assessment, and how students demonstrate higher-level thinking.  https://www.ascd.org/books/understanding-by-design-expanded-2nd-edition

• Understanding by Design Framework White Paper: A helpful overview of the UbD framework for curriculum planning and assessment. https://files.ascd.org/staticfiles/ascd/pdf/siteASCD/publications/UbD_WhitePaper0312.pdf

• Olivia Gude’s “Postmodern Principles: In Search of a 21st Century Art Education”:  Liam references Connie Stewart introducing him to postmodern principles, which became a game changer in his understanding of choice, meaning-making, and contemporary art education.  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00043125.2004.11653528

• University of Northern Colorado:  Referenced as part of Liam’s preservice teacher education journey and Abi’s teaching context. https://www.unco.edu/pva/art-design/areas/art-education/

• TAB Colorado:  Mentioned in the conversation as part of the broader Colorado TAB story and community.  https://coloradotabinc.org

• MassArt TAB Institute: Referenced in the conversation as part of the broader timeline of TAB professional learning and community-building.  https://pce.massart.edu/programs/tab

• Teaching for Artistic Behavior: A Definition and Historiography by Abi Paytoe Gbayee: Abi mentions her dissertation and Tom’s connection to her research on continuums of choice. https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/teaching-artistic-behavior-definition/docview/2817860186/se-2

Here is a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at [email protected]⁠.