Designing Human Centered and Heart-built Teaching Tools — in Partnership with Local Educators
Meka Tome Hello, I'm Meka. I am a photographer and artist based in Los Angeles, California. I often find myself studying my own feelings in the form of photographs and series. Gently placing, or occasionally throwing, my soul onto paper is a way for me to understand myself and the world around me. For me, there is nothing like chasing down an emotion and trying to bring tangibility to it. I share my work in hopes that someone may see a part of them in it as well. I tend to work with ideas that explore emotion, introspection, and understanding. I love to photograph people. If you have any questions or just want to say hi, please feel free to contact me through my contact page or any of the platforms listed below!
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Email: mekatome@gmail.com
Instagram: @mekantome @mekatomephotography
Website: mekatome.com
Nina Wu dreams up new math experiences for students as a Content Development Manager at MIND Research Institute. Working on the research & development team she strives to support the growth of whole child — intellectual, emotional, and physical. This often includes taking an interdisciplinary approach and putting a creative spin on math education, such as incorporating elements of movement and dance into lessons. She has developed interactive, movement-centric activities for math fairs and summer math camp. Previously, Nina taught 4th grade in Durham Public Schools and then moved to New York to work at a contemporary art gallery. She is now based in Oakland where she is also a professional dancer involved in a variety of projects and companies. Nina graduated from Duke University with degrees in math, visual art, and education.
Cassandra Miller Hi, I’m Cassie and I am a sculptor from San Diego California. I currently live in Los Angeles California and go to Otis College of Art and Design. In my work I like to focus on scale, childhood play, and comfort. My work often comes from my inner child wanting to bring substance to the feelings and memories I had as a child. I’m very interested in the things that bring us comfort and why. I work in plaster very often but since Covid 19 I’ve begun working in soft sculpture. I’ve started working with sewing and beading to make comfort items. I want to create things that make myself and others feel good. If you ever have any questions or want to chat feel free to contact me!
Instagram: @cassiemillerart
Email: cmiller1@student.otis.edu
Phone: 702-994-6368
Joseph Klahr is an artist from Los Angeles, CA. He is currently attending Otis College of Art and Design, Majoring in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Sculpture and New Genres and minoring in Teacher Credential Preparation. He has a passion for exploring relations between materials and the world around him. He also enjoys participating in social engagement with local skateboarding communities through organizing events, creating inclusive spaces for physical activities, and collaborating with a variety of companies and collectives.
Patricia Kovic is a Professor at Otis College of Art and Design, where she focuses on a successful interdisciplinary teaching practice through the Product Design, Artist Community and Teaching and Creative Action programs. She is lead faculty for the Creative Action course NEIGHBOR GAP BRIDGE, which embraces inclusive, community based, radical pedagogy. Ms. Kovic was awarded aTeaching Artist Residency at the Skirball Cultural Center, in conjunction with the Library of Congress exhibition “Creating the United States.”
She is the recipient of an Otis Curricular Innovation Grant for Blended Learning, in support of her dedication to digitally focused, future learning models. Patricia enjoys writing about Experimental, Educational Innovation and has published and presented her ideas in a variety of venues, including AICAD (The Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design) and IDSA (Industrial Design Society of America) and most recently THE 2019 PARIS DESIGN SUMMIT and TATE TALKS at the Tate Gallery in London. Ms. Kovic lives in Los Angeles, California and is a designer at Facility Brand.
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Katelin Yee is a character concept artist based in Los Angeles, CA. She is currently a senior at Otis College of Art and Design, majoring in Digital Media with a focus in Game and Entertainment Design and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Katelin has a passion for communicating story through relatable and lively characters. On the side she is a freelance designer for independent contractors illustrating and designing car wraps.
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Jessica Rishe is the principal of the Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH). Rishe attended American University in Washington, D.C., including a year at La Sorbonne in Paris. She holds a master’s degree in elementary education from UCLA and a master’s in educational administration from California State University, Northridge. Rishe is in her 12th year with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. She taught kindergarten through second grade at John Muir Elementary and at SMASH.
Beginning in 2000, Rishe has been involved with the BTSA (Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment) program, currently serving as coordinator of teacher support and BTSA in the Educational Services Department. Additionally, since 2006, she has been part-time assistant principal at McKinley Elementary School.
All of Rishe’s work in the district has prepared her for this new assignment, district officials say.
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“Jessica has an excellent background in curriculum, professional development and teacher training, and she wholeheartedly en- dorses the vision of SMASH,” says district superintendent Dianne Talarico.
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Sarah Daunis is an Elementary Teacher (Grades 3/4). Originally from the East Coast, I got my Master’s Degree in Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. I have worked in a variety of educational settings for the past twenty years – urban schools, private schools, and graduate mentoring programs. In addition, I have had experience developing curriculum, including co-authoring a book on reading instruction, consulting for schools, presenting at conferences, and participating in a yearlong partnership with the Autry Museum. My husband, eleven year old twins, and I moved to Los Angeles in 2015. I have had the pleasure of teaching at SMASH for the past five years. I love working at a school where kids are encouraged to explore their multiple intelligences, take risks, and think outside of the box. I enjoy working alongside my students, helping them realize their full potential (socially, emotionally, and intellectually). I'm passionate about social justice and committed to challenging racism and bias. Remote Learning, during these exceptional times, has stretched me in new and exciting ways. This upcoming semester, I am particularly looking forward to creating a strong sense of community, supporting families, and finding moments of joy. I am looking forward to partnering with you! Thank you so much for this opportunity!
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Christian Carter is an Elementary Teacher (Grades 3/4). I have spent the past 20 years working in education – teaching from kindergarten through sixth grades, writing curriculum at a nonprofit, and working as an anger management specialist and therapist for “highest-risk” children. Recently, I also enjoyed participating in a yearlong partnership with the Autry Museum of the American West. I have taught in many places over the years including Oakland, New York City, and Los Angeles. This is my seventh year working at SMASH, a school that I feel has aligned with my pedagogical beliefs better than any other in my career. After growing up in Los Angeles, I moved to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley and then headed to New York City to get my Master’s Degree in Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. My wife and I eventually returned to Los Angeles to be closer to our families. During these last few months while we have been staying close to home, I have enjoyed spending time cooking, working in the garden, and playing board games with my two sons, Koa and Kam. I look forward to our collaboration and partnership this year!
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Marni Gittleman has been dedicated to the service of children and families for over 25 years, Marni is a sought after Experiential Learning and Ideation consultant specializing in the unique creation of customized curriculum, exhibits and public/community events designed to engage, empower and uplift. MS Ed, 500 hr RYT, 200 hr RCYT. Certifications include Arts & Education, Museum Education, Arts Administration, Yoga. I am passionate about creating experiences that are sensorially inspired, imagination-powered, resourcefully conscious and heart-centered. My approach is participant centered, holistic, multi-disciplinary and multi-modal. I believe everyone and every action counts and that together, we can make a difference. Celebrated projects: This is Hunger, an immersive, heart, mind and action-inspiring community engagement campaign aimed at ending hunger in America. Housed within a custom crafted 1,000 sq ft big rig, this state of the art story and photo-based immersive exhibit toured nationally to challenge beliefs about who in America is hungry and why and, engaged participants with resources to be the change. Winner, Public Relations Society of America LA PRISM Award for Public Service, Not-For-Profit. GLOWmasphere, public art commission for GLOW Santa Monica, a dawn to dusk public art event drawing 200,000 participants, selected by the NY Times for their online Art & Design cover photo Noah’s Ark at the Skirball, an internationally known, groundbreaking interactive family destination recognized by the NY Times and LA Times, recipient of THEA Award for Outstanding Exhibit Achievement and American Association of Museums, Award for Excellence. This is Hunger – immersive, heart, mind and action-inspiring mobile engagement campaign aimed at ending hunger in America. Winner, Public Relations Society of America LA PRISM Award for Public Service, Not-For-Profit. www.MarniGittleman.com
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Beth Pfuntner seeks to expand her art and design practice alongside her teaching practice. To expand art making as not solely a product, but as an education tool for understanding and empowering each other. To strengthen contemporary art within children's art as well as children's art within contemporary art and design.
Beth holds a BFA in Communication-Design and has worked in elementary schools incorporating art and design lessons in after school settings and assisting teachers in a variety of classroom subjects and projects. At Westside Neighborhood School, she collaborated with teachers, facilitated learning environments, like the Tinkering Yard, demonstrated artful connections, like in Kid City, where Kindergartens collaborated to make a book that incorporated the design process. Working at a children's design shop has informed how her approach to design and how education can be enhanced by children's designed products and toys.
She is currently working on characters for a children's book, abstract toys, diy fashion, and curriculum's visual language.
Email: bethpfuntner1@gmail.com
Website: bethpfuntner.com