Episode 218: Closing Out the Year with Community in Mind
As the school year winds down, educators often face the challenge of creating meaningful closure to the school year. In this episode of the Connected Arts Network (CAN) Series, hosts Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and Matt Grundler welcome CAN members Elizabeth Zwierzynski and Leslie Grace to share how they close out the year with intention, reflection, and a strong sense of community among their students. Together, they explore strategies for sustaining creative momentum in the final weeks of school. Elizabeth and Leslie share thoughtful, student-centered approaches, such as how students can reflect on their personal growth through their art, helping students visualize their future creative goals, and having students’ opinions valued within the art room. From an end-of-year art show to one large collaborative project, Leslie and Elizabeth offer insight into how they celebrate their students’ progress!
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.
Resources
Guests
Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz
Oral Historian and Co-Host
Leslie Grace
Elementary Division Director for NAEA
Elizabeth Zwierzynski
Dance Educator at Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Trenton Central High School
CAN Partner Organizations
- National Art Education Association
- National Association for Music Education
- National Dance Education Organization
- Educational Theater Association
- NYC Dept. of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects (OASP)
Links
- Connected Arts Networks information on NAEA website
- CAN Press Release
- Center for Leadership and Educational Equity (CLEE)
- NAEA ED&I Hub
- Meet the new CAN Teacher Participants!
- Center for Leadership and Educational Equity (CLEE)
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