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As the spring semester unwinds into summertime and a respite from full-time teaching (for most of
Blog
CoTA Blog
Research on Whole School Arts Integration
Dennis Doyle
Three years ago the board of directors of Collaborations: Teachers and Artists (CoTA)
What’s in a Name
Leah Thomas
Yesterday, a fellow teaching artist and I met with a classroom teacher to plan our last
Permission to Fall Below, Permission to Rise Above
Reneé Weissenburger
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. once wrote a story about a society so equal that no one ever
The Way of the Geek
Leah Thomas
I have found, throughout the course of my teaching experience, that my greatest assets
The Futility of Art
Leah Thomas
“It doesn’t feel like enough,” a fellow artist declares. “Right now, it’s not
Finding Synergy Between Form and Theme
Reneé Weissenburger
While integrating the arts in any form is sure to bring excitement to the classroom,
We, the Imposter
Leah Thomas
When I first started teaching, I did not feel like a teacher. Every time I stood in front
Whispers
Leah Thomas
“Yeah, well. They don’t tell us anything.”
This phrase is one I’ve heard so often,
The Poignancy of Temporary Art
Reneé Weissenburger
Not all art is intended to outlive the artist. In fact, some art forms are designed
On Creativity, Kindness and Cruelty
Reneé Weissenburger
Engaging in creative projects can be marvelous for fostering confidence, self-reliance
Preparing for
Leah Thomas
Something I struggle with in preparing for lessons, especially lessons with a heavy creative
Lessons
Leah Thomas
On election day this year, a classroom teacher and I took a moment to close our CoTA binders
NGSS – The New Frontier
Amanda Peñaloza-Banks
There we were four artists (two visual, one theatre, one dance), amongst a
The Macabre Classroom
Leah Thomas
“Can we please do something spooky?” Antonio (pseud.) demands for the seventh time
On Failure
Leah Thomas
One of the most popular speeches online in recent years is one given during a college commencement
Poetry for Apprehensive Writers
Reneé Weissenburger
Poetry can be one of the most rewarding means of self-expression. It can also
Too Many Materials
Leah Thomas
Too many cooks ruin the broth, but the availability of too many materials creates a maelstrom
Beware the Beauty Trap
Reneé Weissenburger
We’ve all be been there – someone has, at one time or another, questioned
Regarding “Challenging” Students
Leah Thomas
No student should be thought of as a challenge rather than a person, but there’s no denying
