Teaching Kids the Right Stuff

“If you see something that’s not right, not fair, not just, you must have the courage to stand up, to speak up and find a way to get in the way, to do something about it.” ~ John Lewis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear LEAPS’ Friends, Fellow Teachers, and Families,

In these unprecedented times, LEAPS looks to children to lead us to a better future. And more than ever, we have unbounded confidence in them. We see their pride when they step into their own power. We see their sensitivity as they reflect on the possibilities for their world. We see deep thinking, as they work through tough times and come out on the other side.

Since LEAPS’ founding in 2014, we have lived our Mission: To ignite the imaginative spirit and inspire new ways of thinking so that young people can realize that their ideas have purpose and that they have the courage to act on them.

Art is a doorway through which young people can know themselves as never before. Experimenting with color and design, they can imagine themselves differently. In the process, they feel their roots expanding and taking hold. Grounded in their creative practice, many speak out for the first time.

 

 

 

This is who we are and what we do.

LEAPS values difference.  As a team of artists, we stand up for and model collaboration and compassion. We recognize that children in underserved communities have a lot on their plates. And as their teachers, we invite them to explore the issues in today’s world through a new lens. 

 

 

 

 

 

“I learned that friendship is really good. People haven’t figured it out sometimes.”~LEAPS’ student

LEAPS weaves academics into each multi-week program. Children read, write in journals, and receive personal written feedback. They are driven to go the extra mile.

We connect children to each other and to their communities. Sharing our collection of books, we focus on themes of cooperation, adapting to change, and taking action.

LEAPS is poised to serve children when schools re-open. We are thinking ahead, building on our central themes – social justice and environmental sustainability.  We will be listening and learning along side our students.

 

Empowering children through art,

Nancy Harris Frohlich, Susan Beebe, Alexis Iammarino, Cindy McGuirl, Dee Peppe, and Avis Turner

We’ll be posting LEAPS’ artwork bi-weekly this summer. Check out our blog to see what kids can do.