2024 CATALYST CONFERENCE

FINDING RESILIENCE: ENGAGEMENT AND LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS, CULTURE AND EMBODIMENT

Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024

Times: 8:30am-2:30pm

Cost: Free

Location: California Creative Learning Academy, 2709 Media Center Drive, LA, CA 90065

Parking: Free parking at CalCreative

In the wake of the global pandemic and the impact of the digital revolution on human brain development and behavior, educators, artists, and researchers are coming together to explore innovative approaches to addressing the profound barriers to learning we have all encountered. This year, the Catalyst Convening will focus on resilience through embodied learning, which seeks to integrate artistic experiences, the body, and our senses into the educational process with the objective of supporting academic, social-emotional, and creative lives. In addition, the event will offer participants an experience of self-care, in community.

The Catalyst Conference, organized and hosted by the California Creative Learning Academy (CalCreative) in collaboration with Arts & Healing Initiative, brings  together individuals and organizations  working towards building spaces and experiences that center wellness, healing, creativity, and justice in education and the arts. The Catalyst Conference  is an open-source, free event designed to spur and inspire learning, reflection, and action. 

Register to attend by scanning the QR code on the flier or completing the short registration form here. 

CATALYST PRESENTERS' BIOS CAN BE FOUND HERE. 

8:30-9AM: CHECK IN AND BREAKFAST - CAFE AREA

Participants will have an opportunity to check in and select their sessions for the day.  We will enjoy a continental breakfast. 

9-9:15AM: WELCOME, HONORING THE LAND, AND INTRODUCTIONS

9:15-10AM: KEYNOTE SPEAKER STACIE AAMON YELDELL

Choose Yourself: Resiliency and Embodied Learning Through Self-Devotion 

Location: Cafe gathering area

Join best-selling author, award-winning vocalist and music psychotherapist Stacie Aamon Yeldell, MA, MT-BC, AVPT as she leads us into an exploration of how identifying and meeting our core needs through daily acts of self-devotion can cultivate resilience and promote embodied learning. She will also lead us through experiential activities that center the arts as a tool for healing for both learners and educators.

10:10-11:30AM: BREAKOUT SESSION 1  *Select one of the choices listed

All Our Relatives: An Indigenous understanding of the world and a gift in teaching practice

*Facilitated by CalCreative's Indigenous Culture Bearer in Residence Lazaro Arvizu Jr.

Location: Auditorium

Join us for a session that offers insight into an object-based learning practice where relational reciprocity is a fundamental Indigenous lesson for the development of self in connectedness and community.

Recipes For Connection

*Facilitated by Jessica Bianchi and Amber L. Cromwell

Location: Visual Arts Studio

This session will explore how visual art can support social emotional learning, trauma informed practices, and increase bonding and attachment for teachers, students and their families. Facilitators will begin with a brief discussion about how social and emotional learning, trauma informed practices, and attachment theory can be easily achieved through art making and then guide participants through multiple visual art based experiential activities that they can take back to their community spaces. 

CCAC Native Plant Walk and Gardening Session - Garden Area

*Facilitated by CalCreative's California Climate Action Corps Fellows

Location: Garden Area 

CalCreative is unique as it is one of only two schools in all of LAUSD that host California Climate Action Corps Fellows. The fellows weave garden programming and environmental education into all grades and classrooms. Join the CCAC fellows on an easy, low-effort nature walk to identify native plants—and possibly birds—on our school's campus and its adjacent spaces. Participants will also plant seeds and seedlings in our three urban gardens while learning about the benefits of composting organic waste. This session is meant to be nourishing for your soul, but please wear clothes you are okay with getting a little dirt on. 

Embodied Knowledge Within Movement Traditions

*Facilitated by Paola Escobar

Location: Dance Studio

This session offers  insight into how dance and movement traditions encapsulate particular mindsets and perspectives of the body, of beauty standards, and of ways of connecting with others.  Participants will take a close look at traditions like flamenco, classical ballet, African dance traditions and Latin American social dances to explore the values and vision of the world that these traditions advocate for. 

11:45-12:30PM: LUNCH - CAFE AREA

CalCreative can provide access to a fridge and microwaves if participants decide to bring their own lunch. Participants who order lunch (a $10 cost due on or before the day of the conference) will enjoy Mediterranean food with vegetarian/vegan options. 

12:40-2PM: BREAKOUT SESSION 2  *Select one of the choices listed

Tools for Peace

*Facilitated by Tools for Peace Team

Location: Visual Arts Studio 

The mission of Tools for Peace is to inspire kindness and compassion in everyday life. This session will provide insight and hands-on experiences into mindfulness-based social-emotional learning programs  that support mental health, academic and professional success, and community health and wellbeing. 

Becoming the Sound of Power

*Facilitated by Samara Bay

Location: Auditorium

What does power sound like? Whose voices gets heard? What biases can we undo right where we are? Join bestselling author of Permission to Speak and CalCreative mom Samara Bay for a workshop on public speaking through a social justice lens, and let's help students (and grownups) give themselves permission to show all the way up in the moments that matter. From coaching leaders in business and politics, Hollywood celebs, and students, Samara knows: we all need a gentle spot to talk out and release our old voice stories and write our next chapters. This is that spot.

The Digital Revolution and the Changing Brain

*Facilitated by Gunoor Singh and Dr. Linda Lee

Location: Creativity Lab

Participants in this session will explore current neuroscience research focusing on the impact of the digital revolution on children's and teens' brain development. Participants will engage in hands on activities and dialogue to discuss different ways in which learners can be effectively supported. 

Building Community

*Facilitated by Johanna Voutounou

Location: Classroom

In this session participants will explore authentic community engagement strategies, and how to create a school environment where parents, students and staff feel a deep sense of belonging. In this workshop learn ways to advance educational equity by learning how to include and amplify diverse voices. 

2-2:30PM: FINAL REFLECTIONS AND CLOSING

*Facilitated by CalCreative's Executive Director Dr. Linda Lee

We will close our time together by sharing ideas and key takeaways from the presentations and sessions. We will reflect on the various ways that resonant practices can live in the environments we shape and impact every day. 

We thank all participants in advance for completing our Exit Ticket to provide feedback about their experience at the event.  Exit Ticket