These are a few of our favorite things...

By Mandy Matthews & estella Owoimaha-Church

...IN ARTS EDUCATION,  HUMAN RIGHTS, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING.

2019 was a year of growth, learning, and self-reflection for ENACT educators and leaders. As we dive into 2020 together, we wanted to share our favorite and most influential findings from the past year. 

Black Lives Matter at School
Black Lives Matter at School has created an amazing deck of resources to ensure that black lives truly matter across all of our learning spaces. This organization takes the lead each February during Black Lives Matter Action week and encourages educators and community leaders everywhere to do the same. BLM in Schools hopes you join the effort from February 3-7, 2020. 

OUR RECOMMENDATION: Encourage your school board and site administrations to support a district-wide resolution in favor of Black Lives Matter Week in Schools. Then encourage colleagues and students to join the effort with you. Educate and re-educate community members on the role of Black Lives Matter in affirming the lived experiences of black people. BLM is not about political ideology, rather it is about uplifting marginalized communities and affirming life. 

Otis Report on the Creative Economy 2019
The Otis Report on the Creative Economy, published by the Otis College of Art and Design, shares important findings on the creative economy for the Los Angeles region and the State of California. In California, 2.6 million jobs were generated in 2019 within the creative industry (architecture, fashion, creative goods and products, fine and performing arts, entertainment and media). The report also shares that there was a total creative economy output of $604.9 billion dollars. The report also goes deeper and gives demographic data on who works in the creative economy, and the largest creative industries.   

OUR RECOMMENDATION: Share this report for students interested in studying arts and design in college or beyond. Give them the facts of the creative economy so they can better understand where their gifts, talents, and interests can be utilized and provide a sustainable career. 

Teaching Tolerance: “The December Dilemma”
Teaching Tolerance created a great resource on inclusion during the holiday season, which is actually relevant throughout the entire year. It features a webinar and a planning pack that asks educators to reflect and self-assess on personal practices of inclusion. “The December Dilemma” also provides tools on how to have inclusive conversations around secular and religious holidays while creating a safe and respectful environment. 

OUR RECOMMENDATION:  Read the planning pack and engage in the webinar in order to grow your skills as a facilitator of inclusive discussions.  

Meditation App: Calm 
Calm is a meditation app that has videos, audio, and songs available to use during your meditation practice. They have a free trial and a Calm Schools Initiative where educators have access to a free subscription. Mindfulness practices is becoming even more important for schools, and Calm addresses the need through their resources. 

OUR RECOMMENDATION: Join the free trial of Calm, and receive updates on when the Calm Schools Initiative is back LIVE for educators to use. Practice integrating mindfulness practices in your everyday life, and be a leader of mindfulness for your students.