Episode 203: Building Relationships in the Classroom
Laura and Matt GrundlerRachel Harrison & Lissen Ellington
Building connections with students can be difficult. NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN) members Rachel Harrison and Lissen Ellington know this all too well. On today’s episode, they share the strategies they personally use to build lasting relationships with students with Mi’Jan and Matt. From starting the year off with an art show or performance, establishing routines and rituals that bring students together, and the importance of representing students’ identities in the artwork they show in their classroom—Rachel and Lissen have a wealth of experience to share. All of it combined shows the value of arts education and how it can impact a student long after they leave the art room.
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.
