Q: ​Consider how we, as educators, can make the learning environment more welcoming for neurodiverse students. Instead of asking you to write a paper about your reflections and learnings, we ask you to write creatively and concisely by capturing your most salient thoughts in one meme. It can be an image meme with text or a short video meme. Memes can be aimed at classroom teachers, students, or the general public. The goal is to communicate effectively and encourage deeper thinking and understanding.

Engaging activities for neurodiverse kids can be tailored to their specific interests and needs. Here are some suggestions that can be adapted based on individual preferences and sensitivities:

• Sensory Play:
  
  • Create a sensory bin with materials like rice, sand, or water beads for tactile exploration.
  • Set up a sensory corner with different textures, fabrics, and objects for touch.
• Art and Creativity:
  
  • Provide a variety of art supplies for drawing, painting, and crafting.
  • Experiment with different art mediums like clay, playdough, or sculpting.
• Outdoor Activities:
  
  • Nature walks or hikes to explore different textures, smells, and sights.
  • Outdoor games like tag, hide and seek, or simple sports activities.
• Music and Dance:
  
  • Introduce musical instruments and encourage exploration of sounds.
  • Dance sessions with rhythmic music for gross motor skills.
• Quiet Time Activities:
  
  • Reading books or interactive storytelling.
  • Puzzles and board games that match the child's developmental level.
• Technology-Based Activities:
  
  • Educational apps or games designed for neurodiverse kids.
  • Interactive computer programs that promote learning.
• Social Skills Development:
  
  • Structured playdates or social groups with activities that encourage interaction.
  • Role-playing scenarios to practice social skills in a comfortable setting.
• Routine-Based Activities:
  
  • Establishing and following a visual schedule for daily activities.
  • Incorporating calming activities into the routine, such as deep breathing exercises.
• Therapeutic Activities:
  
  • Occupational therapy exercises tailored to the child's needs.
  • Activities using tools like fidget spinners or stress balls for sensory input.
• Animal-Assisted Activities:
  
  • Interaction with therapy animals, such as dogs or horses.
  • Visits to petting zoos or aquariums for a calming and educational experience.
• Science Experiments:
  
  • Simple and safe science experiments to stimulate curiosity.
  • Observing nature, such as planting seeds or studying insects.
• Yoga and Mindfulness:
  
  • Child-friendly yoga routines to promote body awareness and relaxation.
  • Mindfulness exercises, such as guided breathing or meditation.

  It's essential to observe and communicate with the child to understand what activities they enjoy and find beneficial. Always provide a supportive and inclusive environment, and be open to adapting activities based on the child's needs.

Every year we have wonderful neighbors who decorate their homes with beautiful lights and serve up warm hot chocolate for the community. He is a celebrity in the area. The lights change constantly to match the music on the radio. A new theme is created every year. Their hard work and passion are amazing. ​

Bathed in resplendent hues, their abode emerges as a beacon of holiday splendor, adorned with an opulence of lights that dance harmoniously to the whimsical notes of carefully curated melodies. With an artistic finesse that captivates the senses, the lights pirouette and sway, an ethereal ballet choreographed to the rhythm of the radio waves.

This year, they have prepared a donation corner for Angela's house.

Angela's house is a facility that introduced the home care concept. This was introduced because of the story of Bob and Angie Policastro’s daughter, Angela. Angela suffered severe brain damage during her birth. She received intensive care while in hospital and required continued care after her discharge. But her family discovered that there were few services for patients who still needed intensive care after her discharge. Angela's house is a facility created to fill this gap in the medical system. 

In fact, Angela passed away due to this medical gap, and her parents devoted themselves to improving the lives of medically frail children and their families after discharge. In 1992, Angela's House, a nonprofit organization, was founded to provide families and professionals a place to call to help medically fragile children and their families. Angela's House has helped simplify home care options for families by coordinating the wide range of services needed to support medically fragile children at home.

But it is not merely a display; it is a narrative, a tale spun anew each year. A thematic metamorphosis takes place, as though the house itself is a canvas for a fresh masterpiece.

​In their diligent labor, a labor of love, our neighbor transcends the ordinary, creating a spectacle that transcends the mundane and stirs the soul. Their dedication, an ode to passion and artistic fervor, becomes a gift to us all—a luminous testament to the magic that can be woven with lights, music, and the boundless spirit of the holiday season.

  ​  Let me introduce you to Ana Nobre, a Brazilian-American whose activities go beyond the traditional realm of education. With her vibrant spirit and love of children, Ana takes on the role of educator in her Montessori school, not only passing on her knowledge but also weaving the artistic philosophy of Montessori into her own educational curriculum. Yes.

   As a dedicated Montessori educator, she recognizes how important it is to nurture her love of learning from an early age.

    During our conversation, I discovered the heart of Ana's educational approach: her unwavering love for children. Her classes are more than just classes. It is a space where curiosity is sparked and creativity is fostered.

   Ana's love for children transcends the traditional confines of the classroom. She not only passes on her technical skills through her own art classes, but also instills in her a deep appreciation for the beauty of self-expression.

  In her interview, Ana's recognition of the importance of education is her understanding that education is not just about facts and figures. It is a holistic experience that shapes the child's essence.

  As you explore the world of Ana Nobre, we hope you find her story an inspiration. She will be helpful to educators who, like her, see teaching as an art form. Above all, it reminds us that education is not just a job, but a canvas on which to paint the future.
​

These are questions about what we would like to ask teachers and artists/performers to learn more about topics and networks in the field, based on visual models and burning questions/passions about the arts. 
​

1. Please briefly describe your career as a teacher.

  I’m Brazilian, so did my education in Brazil! I have my bachelor in Education in the Pontificia Univerdade Catholica in Sao Paulo- Brazil. I taught toddler’s and kindergarten for 12 years in Brazil and in US I’m teaching toddler’s at Montessori school.

2. What training did you have and what path did you follow to do?

  I did many trainings about early childhood in US and in Brazil.  And I want to do a Montessori training in US.

3. If you were to become a student again, what additional things would you like to learn to develop your skills and career in your field?

  I think If you had time I spend more time studying special needs education. 

4. How important is art in your work?

  Art is very important for me and for my students because they can express their feelings and emotions in their art projects.

5. How do you deal with students who are bored or lack interest?

  I love work and interact with my students, this is the best part of my job. If they are bored we always try to every week introduce more materials and strategies of learning.

6. Maxine Greene said, “Part of teaching is helping people create themselves.” How do you support students to be self-directed and creative?

  I my job we use art to express emotions and we let them create what they want, they can use different types of materials and it’s beautiful to see the results.

7. Tell us about your work style. Do you prefer working alone? Or do you often interact with other teachers or organizations? Do you have your own unique work style?

  We usually work together with other teachers and I love to learn from them. But I keep my individuality.

8. Do you think your philosophy of art education is influenced by those around you (colleagues, family, friends, mentor etc.)? If you received it, please explain what it is.

   I think my art background influence my career and my life. I love to see the beauty e for sure I influence my colleagues about this.

9. Are you satisfied with your teaching job? Where do you get your ideas for teaching?

  As I said, I love teaching kids, this is my passion and motivation. I get ideas on books, internet and talking with other teachers.

10. Please briefly tell us about your educational philosophy.

  My philosophy is Montessori. Love this quote because represents my feelings about art. “Art has the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else”
​

​https://dianaobrienart.com/

​  We'd like to introduce you to Diana Brian, an accomplished mural artist and illustrator whose creativity extends into the realm of children's book illustration. A dedicated full-time designer, Diana weaves stories with her brush strokes to bring joy and wonder to children and to us all.

  Throughout her artistic journey, I had the privilege of exploring Diana's world through personal interviews conducted as part of portraiture research for my Master's seminar. In this intimate conversation, the true nature of Diana's passion unfolded, revealing not only her artistic prowess but also the unwavering dedication and seriousness she brings to her paintings.

  Diana's art is more than just visual illustrations. This is a work of her incredible imagination for storytelling. Her illustrations in children's books serve as a window into fantastical landscapes, instilling a sense of curiosity and magic in the minds of her audiences.

  ​What sets Diana apart is not only her technical ability, but the attitude she brings to her art. Through her conversation, I gained insight into her creative process and discovered the meticulous care she takes in creating each of her pieces. Diana's approach is a blend of dedication and inspiration, a balance between discipline and the boundless realm of imagination.

  Diana's journey also serves as a guide, as her mentor's advice inscribed in her murals. Her dedication to the art form is a beacon for those looking to embark on their creative journey. Diana's story reminds us that art is not just a profession but a way of life, requiring a delicate balance between the canvas and the complexities of everyday life.

  ​As we explore  Diana Brien's artistic narrative, we hope it will inspire and advise those who, like her, wish to bring the color of creativity into their lives. In Diana's statement, we discover that art is a visual pleasure for the eyes and a repository of wisdom. It is the embodiment of our passion, our devotion, and the profound magic woven into the fabric of our being.

 The blow questions are about what we would like to ask teachers and artists/performers to learn more about topics and networks in the field based on visual models and burning questions/passions about the arts.
​

1.  Please briefly describe your background as an artist.

  I began as a junior graphic designer for Seamans and Levitz Furniture in 2000, and spent about a decade at Motorola as a senior graphic designer. I worked at various other companies doing marketing and graphic design. Currently I am working full time as a designer for a company that is launching a new hotel, and also produces a line of tech devices. 
​
  In the middle of all of that, my dad passed away. After that, I began volunteering with Splashes of Hope. I no longer paint with them - but the years I spent painting large scale murals around the country were transformative for me. I loved uplifting the patients with art.


2.  What kind of training did you receive, and how did you go about doing what you do?

  I went to FIT 1997-99 and have an associates degree in advertising design. I finished a bachelor's degree at SUNY Farmingdale in Visual Communications. I am about to finish a MFA in Illustration at FIT this coming spring. I found that saying yes to every relevant opportunity presented to me has helped open doors along the way. Some doors have remained closed, but I consider that an important part of navigating my path.


3.  What made you start making art? Could you let me know if you are satisfied with your choice at the time?

  I loved to draw as a child. I wanted to make greeting cards and I wanted to make children's books, but I chose graphic design to have a financially secure path. Sometimes I wonder what my career in illustration would have been like if I had the courage back then to take that direction. I do not regret anything though, and I am grateful for the ability to provide for myself and my family. 


4.  How has your work and life evolved as a mother and artist?

  I have had to learn how to create in short amounts of time instead of hours at a stretch. This is difficult. But my children are my greatest blessing and I marvel at the creativity they display. It's really hard to work and find time to create art. I am taking classes in the city to finish my MFA. My employer is tolerant of this endeavor. My family is very supportive of what I am trying to do.
​

5.   How many hours a day do you dedicate to your art? How do I secure it?

  I work from 8:30-5:30pm, home at 6pm, I devote 6-8:30pm completely to my kids who are ages 6 and 3. After that, I can create art. Right now I am working on a children's book for my thesis.


6.   What message do you convey through your work? What prompted you to use that medium?

  I think it's important to use my art skills for good purposes. I try to convey hope and uplifting messages in my work. 


7.  What more must you learn to develop your resume and skills?

  I will never stop learning. I want to learn more about teaching. I also want to learn about creating nonprofit organizations. Above all, I want to continually improve my drawing skills. Figure drawing is the best for that. 


8.  What do you want to consider more important when teaching students?

  Connection to the student - because without that, they might not be engaged. Humility also. If I don't know an answer, I will say it, but then go find the answer.


9. Which areas of art would you emphasize to your students? How would you respond if a student is not interested in the field you teach?

  I am interested in art history and the artistic design process. I like to learn about where ideas come from. I think it's important to teach students to open their imaginations, and the extreme importance of guarding carefully what you put into your mind. Media, etc. What we take in has a lot of influence over how. what, why we create.
​

10. Please tell us about your educational philosophy.

  I don't have a formal answer to this question. I know that with my kids, as my mom did with me, I like to provide them with all the tools to create, and I sit back and watch them go. I provide instruction and guidance when they get stuck or want it.