K12ArtChat the Podcast

The Design Lead for Hot Wheels and Matchbox diecast – Bryan Benedict joins the Creativity department in this episode! He talks about his work at Hot Wheels and Mattel, as well as the process of designing toy cars, the interesting people he gets to work with, and what steps students would have to take to get started in a design career. Listen in to hear more!

In this episode, Art Educator, Bill Rembert joins the Creativity Department for a conversation about the Black male perspective in Art Education. Particularly the lack of Black male representation (and male overall) in the field. Listen in as he shares his personal experiences, his feelings on the lack of male mentorship within schools, and ways of advocating for programs that would fill those gap...

In this episode The Creativity Department is joined by artist Daryl Thompson. Daryl combines his love of drawing and cars to make highly detailed artwork as an automotive illustrator and is collaborating with the Toyota Dream Car USA Contest to help bring children’s imagination to life! Listen in for ways to inspire students that are passionate about technology and design.  Discover a plethora of...

In this episode The Creativity Department and co-host Mi'Jan Celie Tho-Biaz continue the Professional Learning Community (PLC) discussion with two new Connected Arts Networks (CAN)guests.  They are joined by Amber Arnold and Tina Barone to discuss the challenges of building a PLC and how having a supportive community can change the course of your teaching practice. Get inspired to join a PLC...

Announcing a new 8-part series brought to you in partnership with the NAEA Connected Arts Networks (CAN)! In this series, The Creativity Department will be joined by co-host 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...

Rebecca Hare, co-author of The Space: A Guide for Educators and Adobe’s Education Community Manager, joins The Creativity Department in this episode to talk about taking creative risks in teaching, building creative capacity in students, and making space for creativity in the art room. Listen in as Rebecca, Laura and Matt share their personal stories about risk taking and learn how making a plan f...

Elementary educator Carole Drummond-Johnson joins The Creativity Department and asks us to consider “if we are truly about the business of teaching 21-century skills, shouldn’t art & design be integrated with science, technology, engineering and math?” It’s every educators’ goal to reach all learners. Integrating STEM themes into your lessons could be the key to immersing all students in art!...

The Creativity Department continues their 100th Episode celebration with author and educator, Tim Needles. Tim was the very first podcast guest and is a consistent contributor in the #K12ArtChat Twitter chat. Who better to discuss all   that has changed in Art Education over the past 8 years? Listen in as they discuss everything from technology integration in the art room to social emotional learn...

It’s the 100th Episode! We couldn’t have done it without your support and our lovely guests! Join Matt and Laura as they commemorate #K12ArtChat the Podcast’s 100th episode and 8-year podcasting anniversary. Listen in and share the celebration as they reflect on the guests and topics they’ve had over the past 2 years, as well as their favorite happy teacher moments. Here’s to another 100 episodes!...

In this episode the Creativity Crew – Raine Valentine, Joe Boatfield, and Candido Crespo - talk about how they keep their students on their toes and engaged in fun and exciting ways! Listen in to hear each person’s unique approach to bringing fun into their art rooms.  Discover techniques for being silly, authentic, and spontaneous while staying on course with the curriculum and not losing control...

In this episode, Dan Ryder joins The Creativity Department to talk about project-based learning. Dan is a Learning Facilitator at Overman Academy and author of Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom . Listen in to learn about using project-based learning to help students make connections, transform knowledge, and explain their creative choices. When students embrace process, experimentati...

In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Dr. Jaime Dombrowski! Author of Power Up: Gamification Tools for Social and Emotional Learning , she talks with Matt & Laura about how art can transcend language and be used to promote inclusivity and emotional wellbeing. Listen in for expert experience on how students can use art to promote empathy, communicate who they are and what they...

In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by long time music teacher, Jonathan Seligman! Dive into the similarities between Art and Music curriculum, the challenges both face with advocacy, and creative ways the two can support one another to promote the importance arts hold in educating today’s students.  Listen in and be inspired with ways to showcase both art and music without one ov...

In this episode, Matt and Laura are joined by Dr. Cyndi Burnett, Director of Possibilities at Creativity and Education, to discuss what a deliberate approach to creativity looks like and how that scientific perspective parallels the artist process of creativity.  Listen in as they explore everything from the relationship between creativity and the arts, to modeling creative behaviors to students a...

In This episode, The Creativity Department discusses neurodivergent thinking.  This is when the brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered "typical."  Being neurodivergent themselves, Matt and Laura share their personal experiences. Listen in as they talk about the different ways they learn, the difficulties they overcame while in school, strategies they...

In This episode, the Creativity Department is joined by the Program Director of the Success Academy, Dr. Janice Wyatt Ross. During the discussion they dive into strategies for building environments that welcome students, provide a positive impact on their engagement and equity, and foster pride and ownership. Listen in for ideas on strengthening the climate and culture in your own school to ensure...

The Creativity Crew is back! Candido Crespo, Raine Valentine, and Joe Boatfield join Matt and Laura to discuss the stresses and challenges that come with a new school year. Listen in for tips on how to structure your classroom, storage, and materials. Discover new ways to manage students’ experience during class and engage them with what they’re learning. 

Matt and Laura are joined by returning guest Connie Jimenez Zammett! As a high school art educator, Connie teaches students at a pivotal time in their life when they’re not just learning inside of the art room, but also life skills outside of it. This episode’s discussion revolves around that – how can important art skills like big ideas and inquiries translate outside the art room? Listen in to h...

In this episode, Matt and Laura are joined by Matt Dombrowski – the Creative Director of Limbitless Solutions and a professor at the School of Art and Design at the University of Central Florida. They talk about the impact of visual storytelling in the art room and how to implement different strategies. Along with a background in Media Arts, Matt is the creative director for Limbitless solutions –...

CAEA’s 2020 Elementary Art Teacher of the year and NAEA’s 2021 Pacific Region Elementary Art Teacher of the Year, Alyssa Navapanich joins the Creativity Department this episode! Hear their tips and tricks for a successful start of the school year as well as the difficulties they’ve faced in the past few years with online and hybrid learning. Listen in to find out if you can utilize these strategie...

Enjoy this discussion with award-winning multidisciplinary artist and game designer Momo Pixel. From the popular interactive annual exhibition called Momoland, to the viral sensation that is Hair Nah, this engaging session dives into Momo’s pixel filled world. Discover the career path she followed to get to where she is today and come away with inspiring ideas and information to share with student...

The Creativity Department is joined by two members of the Alabama Art Education Association – Social Media Chair Shelbye Reese and President of AAEA Mary Jane Coker! In this episode, they share their experience of looking for and where they’ve found support for arts within their district.  They’ve tapped into so many corners including teachers of other subjects like math and history, school admini...

In this episode, the Creativity Department discusses the challenges of having a career as an art educator and personal life as an artist.  Joined by the newly formed Creativity Crew –Candido Crespo, Raine Valentine, and Joe Boatfield – who will regularly join Matt and Laura to talk about hot topics (like this one), they dive into everything from managing a social media presence and displaying pers...

In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by returning guest James Rees! This year, James retired from the art room. During the conversation, he shares stories from the field including how his career has changed over the 30 years he taught.  Listen in to hear how he developed a plan for staying connected and continued growth in retirement.  Get some inspiration to use when planning your...

In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Davis Author Marilyn Stewart to talk about the importance of creating a culture of belonging in the art room. Marilyn shares her 50 years of experience writing curriculum and preparing educators for the art room. Learn how she develops curriculum and the strategies she employs when doing so. Listen in to this engaging episode to get the insid...