Gallery 3 — IDEAL BAY AREA

How is putting art at the center of learning a practice of freedom?

“CREATE has helped me to grow and innovate my curriculum. I had been in my own way and unable to take conceptual risks I have been wanting to explore from the beginning of my career. I know that I have been able to engage students with a level of criticality that I had not yet achieved prior to this year because of the professional development I experienced in CREATE.”

HUSD High School Art Teacher
“There are the intangibles that learning through the arts provide - students feeling seen/heard when given choices in how they can show their learning. Building a classroom culture of trust by doing improv and dance, sharing their artistic creations. Students learning to trust each other and become brave enough to connect as people. CREATE! has made me a better teacher by freeing me from some of my own doubts and fears. Honestly, I was quite burned out and ready to leave the profession. This professional development opportunity has made such a difference in my continuing to teach. I don't have to do things the same old way - it's liberating!”

HUSD Secondary Independent Studies Teacher
“Our throughline has been quite present on my mind, everytime everytime 1’ve reflected on a completed unit. Specifically as I look at students' artifacts. At time I get artwork that pushes the limits of projects or the norms in the school setting, but I remind myself that art is beautiful in that way, it allows for originality, unique thoughts, and rebellion in its purest form. As an educator I should allow students to have that freedom. My students need an educator that is passionate and “joyful” about what they are teaching! MORE, MORE, MORE of this amazing and magical stuff we call CREATE!”

HUSD Middle School Teacher

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CREATE!

Exploring the throughline: How is putting art at the center of learning a practice of freedom?, CREATE! is a partnership between the Hayward Unified School District VAPA Programs and IDEAL to support middle and high school teachers in professional arts integrated learning. Now in its 4th year, CREATE community of practice supports secondary educators from across disciplines, special education and ELL to engage in monthly collaborative arts centered learning experiences and exchange to create new ways to lift up the voices and ideas of their students. As a sustainable practice, CREATE continues to build a cohort of cross disciplinary educators who will engage in collaborative learning through exploration of Contemporary Artists and the application of Contemporary Arts practices. CREATE is designed and facilitated by IDEAL co-founder Trena Noval and IDEAL Facilitator and HUSD VAPA Coordinator Mina Mangawala.

CREATE was founded through a collaboration with Alameda County Office of Education with the generous support of the Haas Foundation.

To learn more check out our

CREATE website!