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Connected Arts Networks (CAN) Episodes
Connected Arts Networks (CAN)
About Connected Arts Networks (CAN): The National Art Education Association (NAEA), in partnership with the Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects has launched a nationwide initiative to create virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The goal of this Connected Arts Networks (CAN) is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students.
Episode 163: Equitable Protocols in Action! Part 2
We all want to create positive classroom environments. Protocols go a long way to achieving this! From setting norms that encourage collaboration, creativity, and mutual respect to setting the tone for communication, protocols provide structure and support for students. In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and Matt Grundler talk with art educators from NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN). Jessica Lucas and Alexa Wynschenk-Ring join the conversation to discuss their experiences in implementing guidelines for students and teaching respect for others. Listen in to learn how you can apply these philosophies and protocols in your own arts classrooms.
Episode 162: Equitable Protocols in Action! Part 1
There are many challenges to managing an arts classroom and there is no “correct” way to go about it, but there are some guidelines and tips that can help art educators across the board. In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and Matt Grundler talk with art educators from The Connected Arts Networks (CAN). Enoch Robbins and Chay Ross join the conversation to discuss how they manage their students and their expectations in their arts classrooms. Learn how you can apply these philosophies and protocols in your own arts classrooms.
Episode 153: Cultural Responsiveness in the Arts Classroom, Part 2
Connecting students’ cultures, perspectives, and life experiences with what they learn in school is the focus of cultural responsiveness. All educators strive to create meaningful learning, diverse experiences, and inclusive environments for students but hearing from other educators in the field can be inspirational! In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and Matt Grundler continue the conversation with New York City educators from NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN). Lidia Menniti and Catherine Plichta join the discussion about incorporating Cultural Responsiveness into classrooms. Listen in to explore their thoughts on how it cultivates empathy and supports students’ discovery of their interests.
Episode 152: Cultural Responsiveness in the Arts Classroom, Part 1
Educators strive to create inclusive environments that honor and celebrate differences using a host of methods, including cultural responsiveness. In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and Matt Grundler talk with New York City educators from The Connected Arts Networks (CAN). Tina Barone and Edwin Brathwaite join the conversation to discuss incorporating Cultural Responsiveness into classrooms. Discover how this approach goes beyond tolerance and encourages genuine engagement and collaboration across diverse perspectives through honoring and appreciating the values, beliefs, and communication styles of diverse groups of people.
Episode 147: Creating Effective Learning Environments for Neurodivergent Students, Part 3
“Too often society underestimates and undermines people with disabilities. They are capable of so much more.” These words drive the work of the organization People Like Us, an organization devoted to creating more inclusive and effective learning environments for students with disabilities through the arts. In this week’s episode The Creativity Department and Amy Appleton, NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN) Project Director, discuss the mission of People Like Us with the Founder, Kirsti Lewis. Dive into the discussion and learn why she started the organization and how they can help educators who may feel ill-equipped offer meaningful instruction to students with developmental disabilities.
Episode 146: Accessibility & Inclusion in the Arts Classroom, Part 2
Accessibility ensures participation barriers are removed for people with disabilities, inclusion takes that further to guarantee people with disabilities are embraced as members of the community. In the episode, Teacher Leaders from NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN) continue the conversation about building accessible arts classrooms that foster a sense of belonging for students of all abilities. Dive into a new conversation led by The Creativity Department and Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz. Arts Educators Rebecca Visintainer and Sean Turner share strategies used to create inclusive and welcoming environments for students of all abilities, insights about how they learn students’ unique abilities, and resources you can tap into to do the same.
Episode 145: Accessibility & Inclusion in the Arts Classroom, Part 1
The Connected Arts Networks believes that SEL and ED&I practices overlap to contribute to greater accessibility in the classroom. In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi'Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Krissi Davis Orchestra Director for Midtown High School in Atlanta, and Art Educator Matt Grundler explore ways of serving students with developmental differences. By making changes and adaptations to classroom environments and curriculum through a knowledge of equity and inclusion students’ self-awareness, communication, emotion regulation, and interpersonal connections can be strengthened.
Episode 135: Teacher Leadership, Part 2
As NAEA states, school leadership shouldn’t have a singular definition, or “be seen as a practice that can be definitively attained. Rather, it should be thought of as a flexible and dynamic process that educators are constantly honing and working toward.” In the second part of the Teacher Leadership episode, the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) explores the varied roles and importance of teacher leaders further. Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and The Creativity Department continue the conversation with two new CAN members. Arts Educators Corazón Tierra and Charles Jabour weigh into the discussion from the Dance and Theatre perspectives. Listen in as they address important questions such as how do you want to lead? How do you want to transform? What ways do you want to change lives positively, for yourself or others? Discover for yourself if there is a way to pinpoint how or when we can spark the same inspiration to lead in others.
Episode 134: Teacher Leadership, Part 1
There are all kinds of perspectives around what educational leadership looks and feels like. It’s not one size fits all, it impacts the mood, atmosphere, and environment of a school so it must be flexible to meet the needs of diverse student populations and families in communities. During the fourth series of Connected Arts Networks (CAN) conversations, we take a deep dive into Teacher Leadership. As a partnership between The National Art Education Association (NAEA), Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, the goal of this network is to build a sustainable model of professional learning. In this episode, the Creativity Department and Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz are joined by educators Tim Needles and Nathan Rødahl. Dive into an informative discussion about adapting leadership structures in the classroom and discover strategies used to ensure all students’ needs are met.
Episode 126: Social-Emotional Learning, Part 2
Very rarely do students feel safe enough to open up and share how they’re feeling in the classroom. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is essential to a student’s development, but it can be challenging to introduce into a classroom setting. Dive deeper into this topic during part two of the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) SEL episode. In this episode, the Creativity Department continues the conversation about Social-Emotional Learning with two new CAN members. Arts Educators Meg Hickey and Kristie Farr weigh into the conversation about SEL from the Music and Theatre perspectives. Hear the different techniques they use to incorporate SEL into their classrooms. Listen in to learn how they create supportive learning communities where students thrive.
Episode 125: Social-Emotional Learning, Part 1
Broadly speaking, social-emotional learning (SEL) is a process through which students develop and apply crucial life skills such as confidence, emotion management, decision-making, and friendship. In the third series of Connected Arts Networks (CAN) conversations, we take a deep dive into SEL. As a partnership between The National Art Education Association (NAEA), Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, the goal of this network is to build a sustainable model of professional learning. In this episode, the Creativity Department is joined by Arts Educators Cristin Carole and Heather De Koning Foley for an informative discussion about how SEL has amplified student voice in their classrooms. Hear how they are creating supportive learning communities where students thrive.
Episode 117: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Part 2
The work of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) is challenging. It requires deep care, concern, and attention, without which it’s possible the important work being done won’t flourish. Considering these notions is essential to creating programs that support students at their individual levels. In the second part of the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) ED&I episode, The Creativity Department and co-host Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz continue the discussion with two new guests from CAN. Educators Gayle Nicholls-Ali and Lindsey Baur weigh into the crucial conversation around ED&I from the Visual Arts & Media and Dance perspectives. Listen in to hear how Gayle and Lindsey create diverse and inclusive environments for all learners, honor and encourage student voice and choice, illustrate different (and similar) approaches to art through experiences with artists of diverse cultures, and much more!
Episode 116: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Part 1
Explore Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) in the second series of episodes brought to you by the Connected Arts Networks (CAN). As a partnership between The National Art Education Association (NAEA), Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, the goal of this network is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students. In this episode, the Creativity Department and Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz are joined by educators Bridget Shepard and Michael Gordon for an important and informative discussion about fostering environments that support ED&I for learners. Hear how these educators are creating transformative discomfort in a solution-bound and caring way while consistently maintaining safe spaces for learners to celebrate their differences.
Episode 105: Professional Learning Communities, Part 2
Finding or starting your own Professional Learning Community (PLC) presents many questions. Where do you start, who do you invite, how do you share resources, why is it important? Considering these questions is essential to choosing or creating a supportive PLC. In the second part of the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) PLC episode, The Creativity Department and co-host Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz continue the discussion with two new guests from CAN. They are joined by Amber Arnold, Fine Arts Instructional Coach from Georgia, and Tina Barone, Theater Educator from New York. Listen in to hear their perspectives on creating a PLC, the difficulties they faced, how it benefitted them and how it impacted their teaching.
Episode 104: Professional Learning Communities, Part 1
The National Art Education Association (NAEA), in partnership with the Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects has launched a nationwide initiative to create virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The goal of the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students. We’re excited to bring you an eight-part series in collaboration with NAEA where The Creativity Department will be joined by Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz. Together they will dive deeply into topics such as ED&I, SEL, and Leadership with CAN teachers and leaders! Enjoy this first conversation with Kim Hoj, Dance and Career Technical Education Teacher, and Jared Cassedy, Performing Arts Coordinator and Conductor of the Lexington High School Wind Ensemble about the importance of PLCs.
