Accessibility & Inclusion

September 20, 2023

Handout

Examples showing how current CAN Teacher Leaders create accessible classrooms. CAN believes that SEL and DEI practices overlap to contribute to greater accessibility in the classroom. Educators can better serve students with developmental di­fferences by making changes and adaptations to their classroom environments and curriculum. Making these adjustments through a knowledge of equity and inclusion can improve students’ self-awareness, communication, emotion regulation, and interpersonal connections. The goal is for students of all abilities to feel a sense of belonging as members of a community and as creative learners. 
Download the handout here

Podcast 

Episodes 9 & 10 highlight a conversation  on inclusion strategies.  The NAEA Creativity Department and Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz are joined by four current CAN Teacher Leaders and Kirsti Lewis, Executive Director of the arts nonprofit People Like Us. 
Click here to listen

Special thanks to Davis Publications for the support on this project.

Teacher Leadership

July 26, 2023 
Culturally Responsive School Leadership 

Handout

CAN Teacher Leaders describe their experience in schools around the country. One of the CAN goals is to explore how an investment in professional learning for arts educators can transform the value, support, and impact of arts education within buildings, districts, and communities. We know that when schools leverage the unique leadership skills of arts educators, they gain creative problem-solvers, experienced collaborators and partners, family and community engagement specialists, and experts who understand entire student bodies across grades and over time. We believe the most e­ffective teacher leaders are equitable and responsive to student and community culture, as well as mentors to peer educators. 
Download the handout here

Podcast 

Episodes 7 & 8 are all about a conversation on Teacher Leadership from the perspective of four current CAN Teacher Leaders. The Creativity Department and Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, are joined by Nathan Rødahl, Director of Orchestras in Port Angeles, WA; Tim Needles, Educator and Technology Integration Specialist from Sound Beach, NY; Corazón Tierra, Dance Educator with LEAP in New York, NY; and Charles Jabour, Theatre Faculty in Somerville, MA. 
Click here to listen

Special thanks to Davis Publications for the support on this project.

Social-Emotional Learning

 May 11, 2023

Handout

We believe social-emotional learning (SEL), together with culturally responsive education, are cornerstones of e­ective teaching and learning for a comprehensive and inclusive arts learning experience. Through SEL, students develop skills that allow them to be successful not only in school but in all parts of their lives. In this document, you’ll read about experiences from current CAN Teacher Leaders as they work to create welcoming and supportive learning communities in their classrooms. We acknowledge that educators across the country face varying degrees of support and/or challenge in implementing this important work and we encourage educators to consider which strategies in this Tip Sheet might best serve their students. 
Download handout here

Podcast 

Episodes 5 & 6 on Social-Emotional Learning from the perspective of four current CAN Teacher Leaders. The NAEA Creativity Department and Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz are joined by First Grade Teacher and Dance Educator; Heather De Koning Foley, Visual Arts Educator; Kristie Farr, Theatre Educator; Meghan Hickey, General Music and Choir Teacher.
Click here to listen

Special thanks to Davis Publications for the support on this project.

Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

March 8, 2023

Handout

CAN is committed to creating equitable and inclusive arts classroom spaces for students of all ages, abilities, genders and racial and ethnic backgrounds. In this document, you’ll read about experiences from current CAN Teacher Leaders. Their personal inquiry questions about how to proactively integrate culturally responsive teaching practices and how to build community in the arts classroom are leading to increased engagement and leadership in students. 
Download handout here

Podcast 

K12 Art Chat Podcast Episodes 3 & 4 center around Equity, Diversity & Inclusion from the perspective of four current CAN Teacher Leaders. The NAEA Creativity Department and Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz are joined by Michael Gordon, Music Educator and Equity and Inclusion Instructional Leader and Bridget Shepard, Theatre Arts Teacher in episode 3, followed by Lindsey Bauer, Lead Dance Teacher and Gayle Nicholls-Ali, Visual Arts and CTE Teacher.  
Click here to listen

Special thanks to Davis Publications for the support on this project.

Professional Learning Communities

November 1, 2022

Handout

Read about benefits of belonging to a PLC from current CAN Teacher Leaders in this digital handout. 
Download the handout here

Podcast 

Don’t miss the first in a multi-episode collaborative series on the CAN project hosted by NAEA and The Creativity Department, who will be joined by Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz in conversation with CAN teacher leaders. Together they will dive deeply into topics such as ED&I, SEL, and Leadership with CAN teachers and leaders! In episode 1 of this two part series hear from Kim Hoj, Dance and Career Technical Education Teacher, and Jared Cassedy, Performing Arts Coordinator and Conductor of the Lexington High School Wind Ensemble.  Episode 2 features Amber Arnold, Fine Arts Instructional Coach, and Tina Barrone, Theatre Teacher. 
Click here to listen

Special thanks to Davis Publications for their support on this project.

The contents of this page were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Assistance for Arts Education Program. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.