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The Art Works for Teachers Podcast helps teachers crack the code of creativity and use it as a hidden advantage in the classroom. You will receive simple, yet innovative ideas for teaching math, reading and writing in and through the arts - while filling your own creative cup.
155 Episodes
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Send us a text Our students’ future depends on more than test scores. Stanford's Jo Boaler is with us to reveal why struggle is the secret ingredient for deeper learning... and why now is the time to change how we teach.
Send us a text What if the reason your lessons (or your students’ projects) fall flat isn’t the solution, but the problem itself? We're explore why defining the right problem is the secret to creative breakthroughs and how something as simple as drawing can rewire the way we think with guest Anne Brisson.
Send us a text Teacher communication shapes how lessons land, how parents engage, and how colleagues collaborate. This week, Susan and Paul unpack proven techniques from advertising that help educators cut through jargon, build empathy, and make every message stick.
Send us a text Big changes in education often fail because they come in like a revolution... loud, disruptive, and exhausting. Cyndi Burnett invites us to think differently: what if the secret to lasting creativity in schools is small, evolutionary shifts that actually stick?
Send us a text If you’re ready to finally see creativity as a teachable, practical skill (and discover the simple shift that could change the way your students think, solve problems, and innovate), you can’t afford to miss this conversation.
Send us a text The future is full of unknowns, so how do we prepare students for challenges we can’t yet see? April Michele, Executive Director of Future Problem Solving, is with us to share how a six-step model is equipping students with creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills they’ll need to thrive in an uncertain world and why creativity is the most essential future-ready skill.
Send us a text In a world that values "human doings" over "human beings," this episode challenges the traditional focus on achievement in education. Susan introduces the Be, Do, Have model, a powerful framework for educators to shift their mindset and truly become the leaders they want to be.
Send us a text There’s a growing sense among educators that something fundamental isn’t working... but most of us don’t have the time, space, or support to name what’s really going on. In this powerful conversation, we explore how community, clarity, and a willingness to “compost” outdated systems might just help us build something more honest, more human - and more hopeful.
Send us a text What does it really take to lead creative work under pressure and how do we help students do the same? In this episode, we unpack the rhythms and risks of creativity, the emotional labor behind teaching, and how to foster true bravery (not just boldness) in ourselves and our students with "accidental author" Todd Henry. You'll walk away with a powerful reframing of failure, agency, and the practices that sustain long-term creative momentum.
Send us a text Is it possible to honor both creativity and accountability in today’s test-driven schools? In this episode, Harvard psychometrician Dr. Andrew Ho joins Susan to unpack what test scores really mean and how educators can use data without sacrificing authentic learning. If you’ve ever felt torn between the test and what really matters, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Send us a text Ever notice how your best ideas come when you’re short on time? This episode flips the script on creativity and shows why setting limits can actually lead to better thinking—for you and your students. If you’re planning for back-to-school, this one strategy might just change the way you teach all year.
Send us a text Too many kids think they’re “bad at art” when really, they just haven’t been shown how to trust their own taste. Illustrator Andy J. Pizza unpacks how neurodiversity, guilty pleasures, and personal struggle can fuel breakthrough creativity... and why educators hold the key.
Send us a text With major funding shifts underway, many educators are asking, “What now?” In this vital episode, Susan shares practical, creative ways to move forward... without panic. Discover where funding still exists and how to build lasting support through partnerships and purpose-driven strategy.
Send us a text Tired of chasing the latest tech trend only to see it fade? In this episode, Jeff Bradbury shares how he went from orchestra conductor to edtech leader, and why real school transformation happens not through tools, but through purpose-driven systems and coaching.
Send us a text If you’ve ever wondered what improv comedy, creative problem-solving, and health education have in common, this episode will blow your mind. Jane shares her journey from stage to strategy and reveals how Yes, And... is more than a punchline, it's a mindset that can change how we teach, lead, and live. You’ll never look at brainstorming, collaboration, or even failure the same way again.
Send us a text Too often, we treat feedback like a threat and creativity like a talent. But what if the real key to both is something far simpler... and more powerful? In this episode, Anne Jacoby reveals how practicing curiosity can transform the way we lead, teach, and learn. It’s a mindset shift that will stay with you long after the episode ends.
Send us a text Think creativity is just for the “artsy” types? Think again. In this game-changing episode, Dr. Amy Climer dismantles the myths around creativity and reveals the proven method that any teacher or team can use to spark innovation... on purpose. If your classroom, school, or leadership team feels stuck, this conversation might just be the reset button you didn’t know you needed.
Send us a text What if ideas had their own life stories? In this episode, Harvard researcher Edward Clapp reveals how creativity really works, and why it’s less about genius and more about collaboration, agency, and systems thinking. This conversation will change how you teach, no matter what subject or grade you’re in.
Send us a text What if removing grades could actually deepen student learning? In this episode, educator Arthur Chiaravalli shares his journey toward "ungrading" and explores what happens when we focus less on measurement and more on meaning, inviting us to reconsider how we define success in the classroom.
Send us a text What do dancing, disruption, and hip-hop have to do with school? Everything. Aysha Upchurch invites us to rethink how we show up in classrooms and reminds us that joy and creativity aren’t luxuries... they’re the work.
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