OCTELA and craftivism

Today I'm headed to an early morning coffee, then I coach a coach, a newer client straddling her tech role and learning to coach her peers, with a focus on dialogue.

THEN I hop in the car and drive to Columbus, Ohio, where I'm presenting at OCTELA - the conference for one of Ohio's NCTE affiliates. Look at this JOY!!!

My work at Honesty for Ohio Ed means I'm leading a legislative update, and as many of you know, that means I'll be sharing pretty distressing news at the federal and state level - updates that make us feel like our world is spinning out of control, especially for ELA teachers and librarians, feeling the brunt of curriculum-limiting bills and the chilling effect of book bans.

BUT after my downer of an update, I'll share a half-dozen ways to stay update + take action, and THEN - on to ART MAKING:

Local groups here in Northeast Ohio have been getting together to sing for justice, to eat meals together, and to make art. Being an "artivist" or a "craftivist" is very new to me, but of course, using our voice, using the community building of a shared meal, and creating *beauty* in the face of harm is not new work at all, so I'm leaning into the theme of the conference and the new learning I've experienced around art & crafting as a rich response - to deactivate the nervous system, to attune with your purpose, to create and spread joy. We're going to be making these vellum candle wrap, and I'm bringing such good supplies, including the battery-operated candles, so that participants can walk away from today's session not only informed (http://bit.ly/HonestyHotSheet) but with beauty in their world, made by their efforts, their hands - reminding them of the power of light and love.