Teacher’s Cubby: Art as Therapy in the Classroom with Kelly Simpson Hagen

MSquared Books Podcast

Healing with Paint and Pen

Welcome to the Teacher’s Cubby Podcast! Our special guest this month is Kelly Simpon Hagen. Located in Oregon, she is a professional artist and teacher. Kelly views art as therapy, feel believes it heals her body and mind when dealing with personal struggles. She’s seen firsthand how drawing and painting improved students' ability to process the world around them.

Learn in this episode how she utilizes SEL (Social Emotional Learning) in the classroom. She integrates the mindset that we should celebrate and respect everyone’s differences in her classroom. For young children, kindness and empathy can be taught and nurtured. Practicing SEL daily helps kids flourish in school and prepare them to be successful adults.

“One thing that I found most valuable is teaching the growth mindset. Teaching how the brain is resilient, it’s a muscle that’s constantly working. When you learn something new it’s going to be hard, but you’re growing that muscle. The more you practice the stronger that muscle gets, just like lifting weights. That seems to really stick with kids, that you’re growing, you don’t need to know it now, but we have to persevere, we have to push through.”

Listen to hear Kelly’s inspiring story and how to advocate for the teachers in your life.

Kelly’s Social Links:

Kelly's Art For the Soul
Instagram: @kellys_art_and_fun

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