Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie
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Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Teaching Artistry blends creative and educational practice in service of community building, social justice, and inspiring joy. Courtney J. Boddie, Host and Creator, chats with teaching artists and arts educators who are driving professional teaching artistry forward. Courtney and her guests discuss personal journeys, celebrate triumphs and challenges, and advocate fiercely for the arts in all communities.

  1. Episode 72, ACT 2: Judith Insell - Brimming With The Arts

    OCT 4

    Episode 72, ACT 2: Judith Insell - Brimming With The Arts

    In Act 1, we explored some jaw-dropping stats on arts access in New York City, the transformative power of the arts on emotional well-being, and why the arts deserve a place alongside core subjects like history and social studies. Our guest, Judith Insell, shared her insights on how the arts can be an economic engine and an accessible career pathway. If you missed it, be sure to catch up on that conversation! In Act 2, we get personal. Judith takes us on her own artistic journey, from discovering her passion for music at a young age to attending the prestigious LaGuardia High School and Manhattan School of Music. Through a series of serendipitous events, she found herself gigging professionally and stepping into arts administration by the age of 24. Judith reflects on the reality of supplementing her career as a musician with teaching and how her experience as a practicing artist has shaped her unique approach to arts administration today. This is a powerful exploration of the intersection of artistry and leadership.

    1h 2m
  2. Episode 72, ACT 1: Judith Insell - Brimming With The Arts

    SEP 23

    Episode 72, ACT 1: Judith Insell - Brimming With The Arts

    Get ready for a mind-blowing conversation as Courtney sits down with the dynamic Judith Insell, Executive Director of Bronx Arts Ensemble, in the first act of this two-part series. In this episode, it's all about stats, stats, and more stats—showcasing the eye-opening numbers around the lack of arts access for kids across New York City. Judith and Courtney, you’ll learn, believe that the arts should be advocated for in the same ways that subjects like history and social studies are, and they pose the question: Could and should people in positions of influence declare arts a core subject? Spoiler: the answer is YES! But their chat doesn’t stop there. They unpack how the arts uplift emotional well-being, acting as a crucial tool for human connection and mental health. Plus, Judith brings the heat with insights on how the arts are an economic powerhouse and an exciting, accessible, viable career pathway. This episode is filled with passion and advocacy for an art-filled future for young people, and you won’t want to miss a second of it!

    1h 1m
  3. Episode 71, ACT 2: Bets Charmelus - Imagination in Action

    AUG 23

    Episode 71, ACT 2: Bets Charmelus - Imagination in Action

    In Act 1, we explored Betsaleel (Bets) Charmelus’s insights on transforming learning spaces, the importance of introducing novelty in education, and the critical role of trauma-informed practices. Bets challenged us to rethink how we prepare young people for a world that isn’t trauma-informed, emphasizing that the real impact comes when educators model resilience and adaptability. These foundational ideas set the stage for a deeper conversation in Act 2, where we shift focus from the classroom to Bets’s personal journey and the systemic challenges he’s faced. In this episode, Bets shares his trajectory into his current role as CEO of ArtistYear, offering a candid reflection on the racism he has witnessed within the arts education field and in society at large. He discusses the difficulties of owning his hard-won position and title in a world that often seeks to either undervalue Black leaders. Bets also tackles the complexities of being a Black leader in a time when Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work is gaining prominence yet facing pushback from those resistant to change. This conversation delves into the intersection of personal experience and broader societal issues, providing our listeners with a powerful perspective on leadership, identity, and the ongoing fight for equity.

    56 min
  4. Episode 71, ACT 1: Bets Charmelus - Imagination in Action

    AUG 15

    Episode 71, ACT 1: Bets Charmelus - Imagination in Action

    In Act 1 of this two-episode arc, Courtney engages in a thought-provoking discussion with educator and facilitator Betsaleel (Bets) Charmelus. In their discussion, Bets emphasizes why it’s essential for educators and facilitators to radically change traditional learning spaces. By altering the energy in these environments, we can create room for creative thinking and innovation, ultimately empowering students to think outside the box. Bets also delves into the significance of introducing novelty in a measured, incremental way during facilitation. He highlights how these small shifts can have a profound impact on student engagement and learning outcomes. The episode also explores the creation of spaces in which kids feel safe to take risks, fail, and learn from those failures—spaces that encourage exploration and experimentation as key components of the learning process. A core theme of this episode is the concept of trauma-informed practices in education. Bets challenges the notion of preparing students for a world that isn’t trauma-informed by asking, "Why do we offer trauma-informed strategies if the world doesn’t operate that way?" He responds to his own questions with a compelling idea: the power lies in modeling these practices in facilitation. By openly making mistakes, naming them, and celebrating small and big successes, educators can demonstrate resilience and adaptability. Bets asserts that when we model this work, we don’t just prepare students for the real world—we begin to change it. This episode is a deep dive into how we can equip young people with the tools they need to navigate a non-trauma-informed world and become agents of change in their own right.

    50 min
  5. Episode 70, ACT 2: Gotta Stay Fresh with James Miles

    JUL 9

    Episode 70, ACT 2: Gotta Stay Fresh with James Miles

    Welcome back to the second part of our special episode​, the first of which was recorded live at the Face to Face 2024 Conference in New York City. In our last episode, we ​featured an insightful discussion with James Miles, also known as Fresh Professor, about the transformative power of hip-hop in education. James shared his mission to reshape the perception and treatment of children in the U.S. education system, highlighting the importance of teaching methods that resonate with how kids learn and the crucial role of collaboration. ​I​n Act 2, Courtney continues her engaging conversation with James Miles, delving into audience comments and questions from the live session. Together, they explore topics such as the challenges of standardized testing,​ the importance of parental involvement in education,​ and how hip-hop can bridge generational gaps and serve as a catalyst for human connection. Join us as we continue to unpack these vital ​t​opics and more, and their impact on education and community.

    1h 5m
  6. Episode 70, ACT 1: Gotta Stay Fresh with James Miles

    JUN 22

    Episode 70, ACT 1: Gotta Stay Fresh with James Miles

    In this special episode, recorded live at the Face to Face 2024 Conference in New York City, Courtney J. Boddie has a panel discussion with James Miles, also known as Fresh Professor. With a rich background as an artist and educator, James brings over two decades of experience from New York City to Seattle, where he now serves as an Assistant Professor at Seattle University and Creative Economy Manager at the Seattle Office of Economic Development. In this discussion, centered on the transformative power of hip-hop in education, James reflects on his mission to change how children, particularly those who resemble him, are perceived and treated in the U.S. education system. James also notes how hip-hop culture can bridge the gap between students and curricular content, offering a relatable and engaging learning experience. James highlights the importance of teaching methods that align with how kids actually learn, being a positive influence in all educational spaces, and the crucial role of collaboration. Additionally, he pays tribute to his colleagues at the New Victory Theater in New York City, whose guidance helped shape his inclusive and inspiring approach to education.

    1h 12m
  7. Episode 69, ACT 2: Adam Odsess-Rubin - Building Intentional Queer Spaces

    MAY 17

    Episode 69, ACT 2: Adam Odsess-Rubin - Building Intentional Queer Spaces

    Our newest episode, Episode 69: "Building Intentional Queer Spaces,” features Adam Odsess-Rubin, whose many roles include Founding Artistic Director of National Queer Theater (NQT). In their conversation, Adam offers a glimpse into NQT’s programs, including DREAMing Out Loud; Write it Out!; and Staging Pride Queer Youth Theater, a program that offers free acting classes for Queer and Trans youth that culminates in devising original works. At the heart of these programs, Adam notes, is Queer activism through community-engaged arts programming. The heart of this thoughtful conversation shines when Adam states, “I’m looking for community,” he says and continues by reflecting, “I’m that queer artist that needed a home.” Their conversation continues as they discuss: creating supportive spaces for Queer youth to be creative and build community; how, within current systems, administrative practices can’t always act in concert with the support systems created for meaningful community engagement; and the friction that comes with the balance of programming and finding moments for rest and grace.

    48 min
  8. Episode 69, ACT 1: Adam Odsess-Rubin - Building Intentional Queer Spaces

    APR 26

    Episode 69, ACT 1: Adam Odsess-Rubin - Building Intentional Queer Spaces

    Our newest episode, Episode 69: "Building Intentional Queer Spaces,” features Adam Odsess-Rubin, whose many roles include Founding Artistic Director of National Queer Theater (NQT). In their conversation, Adam offers a glimpse into NQT’s programs, including DREAMing Out Loud; Write it Out!; and Staging Pride Queer Youth Theater, a program that offers free acting classes for Queer and Trans youth that culminates in devising original works. At the heart of these programs, Adam notes, is Queer activism through community-engaged arts programming. The heart of this thoughtful conversation shines when Adam states, “I’m looking for community,” he says and continues by reflecting, “I’m that queer artist that needed a home.” Their conversation continues as they discuss: creating supportive spaces for Queer youth to be creative and build community; how, within current systems, administrative practices can’t always act in concert with the support systems created for meaningful community engagement; and the friction that comes with the balance of programming and finding moments for rest and grace.

    59 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Teaching Artistry blends creative and educational practice in service of community building, social justice, and inspiring joy. Courtney J. Boddie, Host and Creator, chats with teaching artists and arts educators who are driving professional teaching artistry forward. Courtney and her guests discuss personal journeys, celebrate triumphs and challenges, and advocate fiercely for the arts in all communities.

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