Be More YOU(th)
I have been teaching art and poetry in California k-12 classrooms since 2000, the day when a counselor/teacher saw a play I created and stared in, and wrote a grant (unsolicited I might add) to have me visit her classroom to work with her “at risk” students. I call that first group of students my “gateway” kids, as they truly made me fall in love with the craft of teaching.
The rest is history, and I’ve been teaching ever since. In 2022, I was named The Mendocino County Arts Educator of the year, and I continue to work in classrooms both virtually and in person today.
As a visiting artist, I am fortunate enough to have worn many hats and worked with youth of all ages, so my experience runs vast and deep. I have multiple family and educator references, and am available for homeschooling and classroom sessions, in-person, zoom sessions and field trips.
- The Art of Expression — Combining poetry, art, collage, bookmaking and nature and technology, art of expression sessions can be one off or built on top of each other. For youth aged 7 and up.
- Demystifying Dysmorphia — Replacing self-loathing with self-love – the path to freedom and joy is waiting for you to chose it. For youth 10 and up, all genders.
- Be More You(th) — cultivating lifelong habits that nurture creative voice and ground healthy emotional expression. This is art with an attitude! For youth 10 and up.
All youth offerings are available as private sessions, short term group sessions and as a year long residency course. In-person sessions and residencies, Zoom and telephone sessions are available by appointment. Please contact me for more information.
The Art of Expression
Playing with self-expression through literary and fine art
FOR YOUTH 7 YEARS AND OLDER
Combining poetry, art, collage, bookmaking and nature and technology, art of expression sessions can be one off or built on top of each other. From Poetry workshops, to collage and poetry, to video poetry, slam poetry and other spoken word, including opportunity to do podcast and radio.
In-person sessions and workshops, Zoom and telephone sessions are available by appointment. Please contact me for more information.
Demystifying Dysmorphia
Understanding and learning to release fear and gain self acceptance
FOR YOUTH 10 YEARS AND OLDER, ALL GENDERS
Body dysmorphia is a real challenge for today’s youth. There is no shame in body dysmorphia; in fact most Americans deal with some version of it. As someone who struggled with an eating disorder from the ages of 14 to 24, I understand the psychology and secrecy that makes sufferers try to lie their way into normalcy.
I adapted my eating disorder workshop for youth, and they can be in single or multiple sessions, either in a classroom setting or one-on-one. The goal is to help youth learn to rewire their brains, hearts and behaviors, discover a healthy balance and somatic awareness, thus remove the stigma of food obsessions and discover ways to turn them into a lifestyle that values and honors our beautiful bodies.
Demystifying Dysmorphia offers community, honesty, and concrete steps to liberating youth from the “dissatisfaction-with-self” con. I offer tried and true ways to learn to love yourself exactly as you are, offering simple daily rituals to self-nuture and nourish your deepest hungers for connection and communion.
Read a first-person article I wrote for Yoga Journal about experience with anorexia and bulimia.
I offer this workshop as private sessions, short term group sessions and as a year long residency course. In-person sessions and workshops, Zoom and telephone sessions are available by appointment. Please contact me for more information.
B More You(th)
Activating habits that nurture creative voice and healthy emotions
FOR YOUTH 10 YEARS AND OLDER
Focused specifically to bridge the communication gap between the generations, this workshop is offered in custom configurations to suit youth, family, peer group and community needs. All workshops are designed to spark presence and instigate creative inquiry in all aspects of life.
Creative writing, art, food, nature, exercise and self love, this is Renaissance 101 for the next generation!
For a sample writing lesson, check out my “viral poetry workshop” post.
In-person group & private workshops, Zoom and telephone sessions are available by appointment. Please contact me for more information.
Want to ask me a question? Get a free consultation? Learn about an upcoming workshop? Send me an email!