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 Graphic Novels for the Global Classroom One of the things my global fellowships have taught me is the importance of an individual's story in the broader context of a culture, society or community. Of knowing that the individual story is one of many voices to be heard.  Finding places to seek out and hear those stories of people who have led different lives from ourselves as an act of simply hearing  an act that builds empathy and lets us know we are sharing this human experience.    No one knows the power of this more than Chiamanda Ngozi Adichi as she shares in her TEDTalk “ The Danger of a Single Story .”  If you have never watched this talk, please check it out as Adichi explores how only knowing a single story of a person can lead to prejudice, misunderstanding, and incomplete assumptions. Acknowledging the layers of each of our stories is an imperative part of education, as a student is more fully able to engage in their learning when they feel a...
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Weaving a Story

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  The small village of Tametoutche lies just at the opening of Todra Gorge, Moroccos’s 12km long version of the Grand Canyon. The red cliffs soar overhead as you wind your way along a cool mountain river. The village itself is a collection of small alleys and streets with residential and commercial businesses mixed in throughout. While out wandering, we were invited into an Amazaigh (Berber) rug shop, a stop that turned into one of my favorite experiences with a local family. cobalt for blue dye Mohammed, the owner, learned English by studying with peace corps workers when they worked in the area. Je welcomed us in and began to tell us the story of the rugs, his family, and the area. His family is Amazaigh (Berber). the shop was started by his father and grandfather, who would venture to different groups of Amazaigh, buying rugs and weavings to bring back to the shop. The family also produces their own rugs in a variety for styles made from sheep and camel wool, and silk crafted ...
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Travel Sketching

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  My bags are littered with sketchbooks.  Small ones in my purse, larger ones in my school bag, and ALWAYS one in my travel gear.  Even when space is tight I make sure to pack some sort of small art kit, even if it’s just a few markers and tiny watercolor set. Sketching on site allows me to really be present and notice small details of the day around me while working on a page back at the hotel gives me a chance to reflect.  Some trips I do more pages than others, but I always love looking back at my sketchbooks, remembering small moments from trips I may have otherwise forgotten.  The Gear Micron Pens : my go-to for adventure sketching.  I usually have a handful of sizes and colors to fit whatever mood or drawing. I love micron pens (or other similar brands like faber castel) because they create a great line without bleeding through the paper.  Watercolor set : the classic. A quick wash of watercolors can bring any pen drawing to life. I either use a ...
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