CREATIVE INTERVENTIONS
A NEW PROGRAM FROM RISING YOUTH THEATRE & ACLU OF ARIZONA'S DEMAND TO LEARN CAMPAIGN
Rising Youth Theatre and the Demand to Learn Campaign of ACLU of Arizona are excited to launch “Creative Interventions,” a new program supporting students through strong relationships. Facilitators from RYT and D2L will work with teachers in the cohort to provide new strategies for classroom culture and to support teachers in the classroom as they try out new tools and take action to build restorative relationships with their students.
History:
We believe that young people & teachers are the main stakeholders of education policies that come to life in the classroom.
Rising Youth Theatre & the Demand to Learn campaign of the ACLU of Arizona have been working to shift the way we approach the alarming issue of student push-out by building power with young people and strengthening teacher & student relationships. Since 2017, the two organizations have created a summer organizing and learning training series for youth on understanding and ending biased disciplinary practices in schools called The Trouble Series and developed and premiered a full length play called The 100th Day based on stories of young people who experience pushout in the Arizona education system. Learn more about The 100th Day by listening to this interview on KJZZ.
Through a collaboration between Rising Youth Theatre, the ACLU of Arizona's Demand to Learn Campaign, and Black Mothers Forum with support from the Vitalyst Health Foundation, we brought together a team made up of young people, educators, organizers, researchers and artists to co-create a teacher learning series to engage directly with teachers in learning strategies for ending student push out through the strengthening of teacher/student relationships.
MEET OUR COHORT!
Darryl Ordell
Elijah Costales-Chevalier
Elijah Costales-Chevalier
Teaches at Eagle College Preparatory Academy
What do you love about teaching?
The sculpting of minds and hearts.
What are you excited to learn in this program?
How to successfully incorporate more interactive and introspective activities in the classroom.
Elijah Costales-Chevalier
Elijah Costales-Chevalier
Elijah Costales-Chevalier
Teaches Biology at Camelback High School
What do you love about teaching?
I love teaching as it allows me to help heal upcoming generations + enact social change
.
What are you excited to learn in this program?
I am eager to learn how creative writing could be used as an empowering tool for students to communicate their needs.
Christina Ramirez
Elijah Costales-Chevalier
Christina Ramirez
Teaches Arts/Enrichment Specials K-6th at ASU Prep Academy South Phoenix
What do you love about teaching?
I love the energy and perspective my students provide me with.
What are you excited to learn in this program?
I am excited to learn new perspective and strategies from others; related to education.
Kate Bowdren
Carlos Gantchoff
Carlos Gantchoff
Teaches Reading Intervention at ASU Preparatory Academy-South Phoenix
What do you love about teaching?
I love bearing witness to a person connecting with their internal gifts!
What are you excited to learn in this program?
I’m so excited to learn innovative ways to deepen my relationship with the students and community I serve
Carlos Gantchoff
Carlos Gantchoff
Carlos Gantchoff
Principal in the Alhambra District
What do you love about teaching?
Giving kids power
What are you excited to learn in this program?
New viewpoints
Tearra Hunter
Carlos Gantchoff
Tearra Hunter
Teaches 3rd-4th Grade Humanities at BASIS Phoenix South Primary
What do you love about teaching?
Seeing the growth in my students, the "Aha!" moments.
What are you excited to learn in this program?
Different strategies I can implement to better support all of my students.
NaTyshca N Pickett
NaTyshca N Pickett
NaTyshca N Pickett
Teaches Elementary 1st grade at Create Academy
What do you love about teaching?
I love seeing children grow and learn through their experiences.
What are you excited to learn in this program?
How to implement creative thinking in my curriculum and how to address issues of injustice my students may experience.
K-K McLaughlin
NaTyshca N Pickett
NaTyshca N Pickett
Teaches High school English at Estrella High School
What do you love about teaching?
I love watching young adults realize they are strong and capable human beings.
What are you excited to learn in this program?
I am excited to learn about what other educators are doing in their classrooms.
Leslie Ringler
NaTyshca N Pickett
Leslie Ringler
Teaches math and humans at Tempe Academy of International Studies
What do you love about teaching?
Connecting with young people #notasentence :)
What are you excited to learn in this program?
Anything the collective conscious of the group wants to teach me #notasentence :)
Carlos A Lara
Carlos A Lara
Carlos A Lara
Teaches Elementary Drama at BASIS Phoenix South Primary
What do you love about teaching?
I enjoy working with children, and specially love to be able to empower children of color, let them know that their voices and experiences are valid.
What are you excited to learn in this program?
To learn from peers and incorporate skills in how to fully engage students to the maximum level.
Sarah France
Carlos A Lara
Carlos A Lara
Teaches 6th grade math and science at ASU Prep Academy South Phoenix Primary/Intermediate
What do you love about teaching?
I love the feeling of fulfillment and that I'm making a difference in these students' lives
What are you excited to learn in this program?
How to put my students' experiences into perspective and use them to help our classroom grow
Mark Bowden
Carlos A Lara
Mark Bowden
Teaches 8th Grade Science at Maurice C. Cash Elementary School
What do you love about teaching?
I love watching students build their confidence in taking on challenges in my classroom--both academic and non-academic.
What are you excited to learn in this program?
I'm excited to develop mindsets and skills that help students feel justice in my classroom and pursue justice outside of my classroom.
Adriana Aragon
Brillana Barraza
Adriana Aragon
Currently a student
What do you love about teaching?
Instilling a sense of wonder to students
What are you excited to learn in this program?
Innovative ways to incorporate mindfulness in the classroom
Garrett Pauli
Brillana Barraza
Adriana Aragon
Teaches Poetry/Spoken Word at Granada East School & PUHSD
What do you love about teaching?
The joy of young folks flickering lightbulbs from a new discovery.
What are you excited to learn in this program?
How to be a more effective ally to my students.
Brillana Barraza
Brillana Barraza
Brillana Barraza
Teaches AP Language and Composition, ELA 11 and ELA 09 at Glenview College Preparatory
What do you love about teaching?
I absolutely love seeing my students break their preconceived limits and push their academic boundaries!
What are you excited to learn in this program?
I am excited to meet other educators, gain new perspectives and initiate learned practices in my classroom!