TAB Storytellers

Abi Paytoe Gbayee & Jen Ferrari

Join hosts Jen Ferrari (she/her) and Abi Paytoe Gbayee (she/her) as they have informal conversations with TAB leaders and educators, discussing topics related to the Teaching for Artistic Behavior movement in art education. Our goal with this TABcast is to hear the stories of how folx found TAB, are implementing TAB in their classrooms, and answer questions related to TAB. Also we promise to laugh at ourselves often and not take any of this too seriously, we just aren't those people.

  1. S4E9: Meet Jess Baker

    MAY 1

    S4E9: Meet Jess Baker

    In this episode Abi and Jen welcome elementary TAB educator Jess Baker to explore the powerful connections between Teaching for Artistic Behavior, special education, differentiated instruction, and student independence. Jess shares how her graduate work helped her recognize the ways TAB already supports students with exceptionalities by centering choice, access, collaboration, and authentic artmaking. Together, we talk about honoring the whole child, advocating for students in the art room, and why play, freedom, and independence matter so deeply in a TAB studio. Resources: Teaching for Artistic Behavior / TAB — official TAB website. TAB Community on Mighty Networks — online TAB educator community. Parents Encouraging Parents / PEP Conference — Colorado Department of Education — conference Jess references for families of children with disabilities. CAST Universal Design for Learning Guidelines — UDL resource connected to the conversation about access and differentiated instruction. Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports / MTSS — MTSS resource connected to the discussion of student support systems. Response to Intervention within Colorado MTSS — RTI resource connected to the MTSS/RTI language in the episode. TAB Storytellers: Meet George Szekely & Ilona Szekely — episode referenced during the conversation about play, collections, and agency. Play and Art Podcast with Dr. Ilona and Dr. George Szekely — podcast focused on play-based art teaching. Discovery Museum — da Vinci Workshop — maker/exploration space Jen mentions. Boston Children’s Museum — Art Lab — hands-on art space mentioned in relation to children’s open-ended artmaking. The Art Barn / Cultural Center of Cape Cod — children’s art space on the Cape mentioned by Jen. Margie’s Java Joint — Greeley coffee shop mentioned in Abi and Jess’s story. Here is a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehaviors.org. Also we are using our imagination to pretend Abi got this episode published in March. Life was life-ing.

    57 min
  2. S4E8: Meet Dale Zalmstra

    FEB 1

    S4E8: Meet Dale Zalmstra

    In this episode of TAB Storytellers, Jen and Abi sit down with the incredible Dale Zalmstra, whose work and mentorship have profoundly shaped TAB practice in Colorado and beyond. Dale shares her nontraditional path into art education, how she found TAB early on, and why community, reflection, and teacher involvement are essential to sustaining student-centered, choice-based learning. This conversation is a powerful reminder that TAB is a philosophy—rooted in trust, creativity, and authenticity—that continues to grow through relationships and shared leadership. Resources: Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) Website: https://teachingforartisticbehavior.org Core ideas: The child is the artist. The classroom is the studio. What do artists do? Mighty Networks – TAB Community Online community of TAB educators (linked through  TeachingforArtisticBehavior.org → “Join Our Community”) TAB Art Educators Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/178282718971259/ National Art Education Association (NAEA) https://www.arteducators.org Colorado Art Education Association (CAEA) coloradoarted.org ArtSource (Colorado) www.artsourceco.org TAB Colorado and TAB CO Conference  TAB Colorado: coloradotabinc.org TABStock https://www.facebook.com/groups/248738239772624/ Colorado Visual Arts Standards Colorado Visual Art Standards What Artists Do Subtitle: TAB Pedagogy and Practice for K–12 Choice-Based Art Classes By Jen Ferrari and Jill Hogan Publication date: June 26, 2026 (preorders available at time of recording) Here is a link to a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehavior.org.

    1h 1m

  3. JAN 1

    S4E7: Meet Yichien Cooper

    In this episode of TAB Storytellers, Jen and Abi sit down with Dr. Yichien Cooper to explore how curriculum can be a living, justice-centered practice shaped by listening, trust, and creative risk-taking. Yichien shares how she brings the principles of TAB into higher education spaces, even without a formal art education program, and how honoring students' lived experiences can transform both teaching and learning. It’s a conversation full of reflection, encouragement, and powerful reminders that what we do in the classroom plants real seeds. Resources: Teaching for Artistic Behavior: teachingforartisticbehavior.org TAB community (Mighty Networks): teaching-for-artistic-behavior-inc.mn.co.  National Art Education Association (NAEA): arteducators.org.  TAB Art Educators Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/178282718971259/ Here is a link to a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehavior.org.

    1h 13m
  4. S4E6: Meet Colleen Eckles

    12/01/2025

    S4E6: Meet Colleen Eckles

    In this episode, join Jen and Abi as they sit down with retired Arizona art teacher Colleen Eckles to learn how she moved from traditional, product-driven projects into a full TAB practice over the course of her 29-year career. Colleen shares the messy middle, “Free Art Fridays,” center set-ups, admin conversations, and high-stakes testing, along with the joy of trusting kids as artists and finding community through TAB books, conferences, and online spaces. Colleen brings a heartfelt encouragement for teachers, both new and folks on the edge of burn out, to start small, find their people, and keep honoring students’ creative agency. Resources: Teaching for Artistic Behavior: teachingforartisticbehavior.org TAB community (Mighty Networks): teaching-for-artistic-behavior-inc.mn.co.  TAB Art Educators Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/178282718971259/ Blocks Paper Scissors Podcast - Clark Fralick and Clyde Gaw https://blockspaperscissors.podbean.com/ Make Artists Podcast - Ian Sands https://open.spotify.com/show/4dLxBE4pANtQ5Iw44gCWMk Abi’s Dissertation - Teaching for Artistic Behavior: A Definition and Historiography: https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/teaching-artistic-behavior-definition/docview/2817860186/se-2 National Art Education Association (NAEA): ⁠arteducators.org⁠. Here is a link to a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehavior.org.

    59 min
  5. S4E5: Meet Anna Gibson and Steve Heil

    11/01/2025

    S4E5: Meet Anna Gibson and Steve Heil

    Join Jen and Abi as they chat with Anna Gibson, TAB art educator in Santa Fe, and Steve Heil, New Mexico Lead Department Analyst at New Mexico Public Education Department, about nurturing advanced artists within a TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) framework. They trace their TAB journeys, explain an inclusive advanced-art model (screening, teacher nomination, or self-selection), and show how authentic showcases and contests build agency, visibility, and healthy “eustress,” especially for students from marginalized backgrounds. The conversation blends creativity research, gifted-education practices, and culturally responsive teaching to keep young artists in the pipeline from elementary through high school and beyond. Resources: Teaching for Artistic Behavior: teachingforartisticbehavior.org TAB community (Mighty Networks): teaching-for-artistic-behavior-inc.mn.co.  National Art Education Association (NAEA): arteducators.org.  New Mexico Art Education Association (NMAEA): newmexicoarteducators.org.  Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival: recyclesantafe.org.  Inside Out Project (JR Artist): insideoutproject.net.  Zaretta Hammond — Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain: crtandthebrain.com New Mexico Association for the Gifted (NMAG): nmgifted.org  New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED): web.ped.nm.gov  NAEP 2016 Arts Assessment (The Nation’s Report Card / NCES): nationsreportcard.gov/arts_2016/ and NCES overview.  nationsreportcard.gov George Szekely: georgeszekely.com; book Play and Creativity in Art Teaching.  Szekely website Clyde Gaw (TAB/choice-based art): clydegaw.blogspot.com Navajo Nation: navajo-nsn.gov Pueblo of Zuni: ashiwi.org Here is a link to a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehavior.org.

    1h 14m
  6. S4E4: Meet Kitty Conde

    10/01/2025

    S4E4: Meet Kitty Conde

    Join Abi and Jen in this inspiring episode as we dive deep with Chicago-based art educator Kitty Conde. Kitty shares her rich journey from building an art program from the ground up to championing TAB pedagogy in her public school. From organizing community-integrated Shark Tank-style student projects to mentoring over 40 student teachers, Kitty shares actionable insights and honest reflections on scaffolding choice, advocating for student voice, navigating standards, and embracing intergenerational learning. Her passion and systems-thinking approach remind us what it really means to teach artists, not just art. Resources & Links Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) – https://teachingforartisticbehavior.org Mighty Networks (TAB Community) – Accessible via the TAB website > "Join Our Community" Engaging Learners Through Artmaking by Katherine M. Douglas & Diane B. Jaquith Studio Thinking / Studio Habits of Mind – Project Zero, Harvard Knowledge Loom – Archived resource, formerly at knowledgeloom.org DonorsChoose – https://www.donorschoose.org National Art Education Association (NAEA) – https://www.arteducators.org National Board for Professional Teaching Standards – https://www.nbpts.org Illinois Arts Learning Standards – Based on National Core Arts Standards (https://www.nationalartsstandards.org) Thinking Through Art: Studio Thinking from the Start – Lois Hetland et al. Here is a link to a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehavior.org

    1h 5m
  7. S4E3: Meet Bridget Kudrle

    08/31/2025

    S4E3: Meet Bridget Kudrle

    In this episode of TAB Storytellers Abi and Jen sit down with Bridget Kudrle, a veteran TAB teacher and president of TAB, Inc., to talk about the whirlwind of starting a school year, what it means to lead with choice and trust in the art room, and how community keeps us grounded. From QTIP (Quit Taking It Personally) to building routines that save your sanity, Bridget shares wisdom for both new and seasoned TAB educators.  Resources & Links: Teaching for Artistic Behavior Regional TAB Groups MassArt TAB Institute Anti-Racist Art Teachers Here is a link to a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehavior.org

    1h 10m
  8. S4E2: Meet Matt & Laura Grundler

    07/21/2025

    S4E2: Meet Matt & Laura Grundler

    In this episode of TAB Storytellers, Jen and Abi speak with dynamic art education leaders Matt & Laura Grundler of the K-12 Art Chat podcast. In the conversation, they share insights into their current work, recent projects, and their powerful journey as art teachers and administrators. The conversation also touches on advocacy, mutual support as partners and educators, and how they help guide fellow teachers in embracing their personal and professional identities. Here are links to resources or more information that was discussed in the TABcast: K12 Art Chat Podcast (Matt & Laura Grundler) https://www.davisart.com/free-resources/k12-artchat/ The Creativity Department for all things Matt and Laura  https://www.grundlerart.com/ Peter H. Reynolds (Author & Illustrator) https://www.peterhreynolds.com/ The Dot Sky Color Studio Thinking https://www.studiothinking.org/ Dwayne Edwards / PENSOLE Lewis College of Business & Design https://www.plcdetroit.com/ Davis Art Publications https://www.davisart.com/ Understanding by Design (UbD) Understanding by Design White Paper Here is a link to a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehavior.org

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Join hosts Jen Ferrari (she/her) and Abi Paytoe Gbayee (she/her) as they have informal conversations with TAB leaders and educators, discussing topics related to the Teaching for Artistic Behavior movement in art education. Our goal with this TABcast is to hear the stories of how folx found TAB, are implementing TAB in their classrooms, and answer questions related to TAB. Also we promise to laugh at ourselves often and not take any of this too seriously, we just aren't those people.

Information

  • Creator
    Abi Paytoe Gbayee & Jen Ferrari
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Abi Paytoe Gbayee & Jen Ferrari
  • Show Website
    TAB Storytellers

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