Summer Institute for Creative Teaching

Jim Ansaldo, PhD, is a Research Scholar at the Center on Education and Lifelong Learning, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University Bloomington. For 20 years, he has conducted research, supported school change efforts, and facilitated teacher professional learning around applied improvisation, coaching and consultation, culturally sustaining pedagogies, curriculum design, and online learning. Jim is a founder and co-director of Camp Yes And, an improv-based professional learning intensive for educators who support teens on the autism spectrum (http://yesand.indiana.edu). For this work, Jim was honored with a 2017 Certificate of Commendation Award by the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Jim trained at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and leads improv-based workshops that support IU scientists, scholars, and health professionals to communicate about their research in clear, vivid, and engaging ways. Jim has worked with faculty at the IU School of Medicine to integrate improv with cognitive behavioral therapy to support youth with anxiety disorders, and he has collaborated with the Alzheimer's Resource Service of IU Health Bloomington Community Health to offer improv workshops for individuals living with dementia, their families, and professional caregivers

Crisler, an award-winning poet/author, has a new book called Doing Drive-bys on How to Love in the Midwest. He has six poetry books, two YA books, and five poetry chap-books, and he has been published in a variety of magazines, journals, and anthologies. He’s the Indiana Poet Laureate and Professor of English at Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW).

Melli Hoppe is a Nationally Credentialed Teaching Artist with Young Audiences Arts for Learning and a certified Wolf Trap Teaching Artist. She has a B.A. in Dance from Columbia College in Chicago, MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College in Vermont, received a Teaching Artist Certificate from Teachers College at Columbia University and has completed over 100 hours of training in student-empowering, healing-centered, and culturally responsive practices from Responsive Arts in School Education (RAISE) through Young Audiences Arts for Learning.

Christy Burgess is the lead teacher for the Robinson Shakespeare Company. Christy attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and received her M.A. in Drama and Theatre Education from the University of Warwick. Christy worked at the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre as Education Manager and traveled to parts of rural Alaska to teach youth and Alaska Native Elders. In 2011-2012, she was a North American Teaching Consultant for the Royal Shakespeare Company. In recognition of her work, Christy has been awarded the D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year Award, a Michiana 40 Under 40 title, and a Journey Fellowship. She is now the Education Co-Chair for the Shakespeare Theatre Association.

Kristi's background as a former elementary classroom teacher and literacy coach, along with her Arts Integration Specialist Certification from the Institute for Arts Integration and Steam, showcases her dedication to using the arts as a powerful tool for student learning. As the Director of Education at Honeywell Arts & Entertainment, Kristi is committed to the development of engaging lessons and programs that reach each child and empower educators in their own professional growth.

Jingo M. de la Rosa is a commercial illustrator, art educator, community artist, and urban sketcher. He has created art for renowned organizations such as the NBA, the NCAA, ‘47 Brand Apparel, The Houston Symphony, and Sakura of America. Jingo has helped lead initiatives such as CreativeMornings and Urban Sketchers, where he seeks to cultivate his city’s creative community. He has also taught drawing and illustration for both Herron School of Art & Design and Butler University. Jingo is a native of Manila, Philippines; but now calls Indianapolis his home.

DeAnne Taggart is a Solutions Specialist at the Southern Indiana Education Center and an Educational Studies doctoral student at Ball State University. She has been involved in K-12 education for close to 30 years, serving as a classroom teacher, professional learning director, and central office administrator.

Emily Compton has been at ArtMix since 2001 and is the co-creator of the Urban Artisans program. She has a B.A. in Art History from Indiana University & Art Education from Herron School of Art. Emily is a Teaching Artist & a Program Director. She has taught in nearly every type of program that ArtMix offers- vocational, recreational & educational. In addition to her work, she is a practicing artist in printmaking, painting & ceramics.

Dr. Madison has over 27 years of experience in public education. He began his career as an English Teacher, Basketball/Tennis/Golf Coach then transitioned to Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at White River Valley Schools.  He served as Middle/High School Principal, and Superintendent at Barr-Reeve Community Schools for a combined 21 years. During his tenure, Barr-Reeve’s Schools were honored consistently as Indiana Four Star Schools and garnered National Blue Ribbon School Distinction in 2017.

Robert T. Townsend is a professor and Department Chair, Secondary and P-12 programs at Indiana Wesleyan University. His degrees are from Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and the Ph.D. (Secondary Education) from the University of Illinois. Robert has over 25 years of experience educating P-12 students and educators. In addition, he serves as Co-Founder/Artistic Director of The Performing Arts Conservatory; an after-school program (www.tpacindy.org). He resides in Indiana with his wife, Bridget.

Clockwork Janz is a queer + non-binary musician, organizer, culinary artist, and cat parent based in Indianapolis. A native Hoosier, their passion lies in dismantling intersectional racism and its many tendrils that have rooted in the US; they work to plant systems of love, critical thought, grace, and whimsy to fill those cavities. Their present post as Director of Creative Talent + Equitable Practices at Arts for Learning Indiana has been their greatest vehicle for change since 2019.

Alia E. Hawkins is the founder and executive director of Beachfront Dance School, a not-for-profit dance school located in Gary, Indiana. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She is a former classical ballet dancer. Currently, she is in healthcare compliance law and is a registered mediator.

Dana Vanderburgh is the Associate Director of Community Engagement & Programming at Kids Dance Outreach (KDO). Dana's curiosity in translating her passion for dance into a passion for exploring and advocating for the power of dance to empower individuals and communities led her to the field of community arts education after stopping the pursuit of a professional dance performance career. In addition to her work with KDO, Dana is also a Ph.D. Candidate in Social-Cultural Anthropology at Indiana University where she is continuing her academic research on themes related to dance, community building, and environmental justice.

Lindsay Platt is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, with a degree in Arts Administration from Butler University. She has worked for nonprofits and in music throughout her career, with fundraising, teaching, administration, and programming positions. Lindsay is currently the Director of Development for the Fort Wayne Children's Choir, responsible for individual and corporate giving, fundraising events, and overseeing grants and marketing. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Sigma Alpha Iota, The VoiceCare Network, and the Music Teachers National Association.

Lauren Shelton is the founding Executive Director of the Indianapolis Center for Arts Education and Innovation at Butler University. Prior to arriving at Butler University, Shelton implemented the return of the visual and performing arts to the Chula Vista Elementary School District. She also served as faculty for the Longy School of Music of Bard College Masters of Arts in Teaching program. Shelton holds a California Teaching Credential, California Administrative Credential, and completed her Masters in Educational Leadership with a focus on Arts Integration and Common Core Standards Implementation with honors. In June 2015 she was a recipient of the Yale School of Music Distinguished Educator of the Year Award and most recently received the Outstanding Administrator Award from the California Music Educators Association at the state and local level.