Art education can create a space for excitement and joy in learning according to Colleen’s guest, Shannon Johnson, Arts Education Specialist at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Colleen, a visual artist herself, explains the crucial role that art plays in Transformational Social-Emotional Learning (TSEL) by playing to individual strengths, building confidence, and encouraging students to express themselves in their own unique ways.  Among the many resources discussed in this episode, Shannon highlights the Arts, Care & Connection Project for elementary grades in which teaching artists provide videos integrating the Core Art Standards in dance, music, theater, and visual arts with Oregon’s TSEL standards. Educators, regardless of their own artistic experience, become co-learners with their students as they incorporate various ways of self-expression in their explorations. Integrating art into the curriculum involves finding connections between various art forms and subject content. Shannon points out multiple sources where educators will find ideas and support for adding an artistic aspect to their classroom. Resources -  Arts for Learning Northwest - connecting teaching artists with schools for educational arts programming, workshops, performances, and artist residencies   Arts, Care & Connection Program - arts integration lessons and professional learning for educators   Young Audiences Arts for Learning - the nation’s oldest and largest arts-in-education learning network     Oregon Department of Education resources -  Arts Education Resources Oregon Open Learning Hub Chronicles of Oregon Open Learning - a monthly newsetter Arts Access Toolkit Arts Education Newsletter       OEA Grow is a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network