National experts in arts integration seek to inspire local teachers

Written By Alicia Vial

AXIS workshop series introduces New Orleans educators to innovative teaching methods

NEW ORLEANS – KID smART’s Arts Experiences In Schools (AXIS) program is hosting two nationally recognized arts integration experts to present to their AXIS teacher program participants Jan. 17 and Feb. 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. This annual workshop series allows local New Orleans teachers the ability to gain insight into the teaching strategies from some of the best arts integration and education experts in the country.

KID smART’s AXIS program allows New Orleans public school teachers to deepen their arts integration knowledge through participation in monthly workshops throughout the year and build a portfolio of resources to increase their students' academic growth, emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills while also gaining confidence as an artist.

“We are delighted to be able to offer our AXIS teachers the experience of hearing from world renowned experts in the arts integration and education sphere,” said Elise Gallinot Goldman, executive director of KID smART. “Our hope is that our AXIS teachers will take what they learn from these presenters and help to deepen the learning abilities of their students in our community. Our future depends on the success of the next generation, and that success starts in the classroom.”  

Sarah Sheya, the founder of JusticexDesign (JxD) - a research initiative that investigates how young people engage critically with and understand the relationships between design, representation, power and participation - will present Jan. 17.

A second workshop in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz Museum and the Library of Congress will be held Feb. 21 to create a series of lesson plans illuminating the culture and history of New Orleans tells the history and development of jazz in the city. AXIS teachers will have the opportunity to learn how they can use the sounds and stories of jazz history to connect to New Orleans and US history through arts-integrated strategies.

Founded in 1999, KID smART provides public school students with greater access to arts-rich education. In its 24-year history, KID smART has served more than 63,000 students and 11,000 teachers in schools throughout New Orleans. With the belief that the power of the arts should be available to all New Orleans children, KID smART works within public schools to reach underserved children with the most to gain from an arts-rich, social-emotional education. 

Goldman added, “The integration of arts does more than infuse creativity; it triggers a shift in the culture of education. By instilling values of creativity, autonomy and growth, arts integration reshapes the very essence of learning.”

To learn more about KID smART and to find out more about their AXIS program, visit kidsmart.org.

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About KID smART
Over the last two decades, KID smART has collaborated with more than 40 New Orleans public schools to blend the arts into academic lessons to make classrooms more effective and joyful places to learn. Through full-year artist residencies, students in KID smART Creative Schools prove to grow academically, artistically and emotionally. KID smART also partners with national thought leaders, including Harvard's Project Zero Classroom, to incorporate best practices in arts and education into its program model.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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