In episode 03, Vivian and Marcie talk art, creativity, STEM, and the public schools with Trish Millines Dziko, founder of Technology Access Foundation, and Tina LaPadula, Arts Education Project Manager for Seattle's Office of Arts and Culture. Some educators want students to focus on science and technology. Others believe the arts are essential to a 21st-century education. How do we find a balance between these two fields of thought? Plus, we'll find out how a self-described tech geek learned to embrace her inner artist.
"I wasn't always this evolved about art being core, because I am truly a utilitarian geek at heart." -- Trish Millines Dziko, founder of Technology Access Foundation
Left: Trish Millines Dziko, Founder and Director of Technology Access Foundation (TAF). Right: Tina LaPadula, Education Project Manager for Seattle's Office of Arts and Culture.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUESTS
Trish Millines Dziko cofounded TAF in 1996 after spending 17 years in the tech industry. Through
Trish’s leadership, TAF transitioned from out of school programs to become a statewide leader
in public education, operating TAF Academy (a 6th to 12th grade, award-winning public school
co-managed with the Federal Way Public School District), partnering with public schools to
transform them to promote the highest level of student learning, and increasing the number of
teachers of color through the Martinez Fellowship.
Trish is a committed, proactive leader serving on boards of organizations that focus on children
and education.
For more on TAF visit: https://techaccess.org/
Tina LaPadula is an East coast transplant and warrior for equitable art-making and learning opportunities. For more than 15 years she poured most of her creative energy into Arts Corps, the award-winning arts and social justice nonprofit she helped found. She has collaborated with The Frye Museum, The Museum of History and Industry, and Bumbershoot Arts and Music Festival to curate exhibitions and events that elevate the art and perspectives of young people. As a teaching artist, Tina has taught for Centrum Arts, Seattle Children's Theatre, The University of Washington, and in a multitude of schools and afterschool programs. She has served as a consultant to many cultural organizations facilitating workshops on racial justice and the arts. Tina supports the growth and development of teaching artists locally and nationally, most notably as the founder of the Seattle Teaching Artist Network, as a faculty member for the WA State Teaching Artist Training Lab, as the former chair of the Association of Teaching Artists, and on the national advisory team for the Teaching Artist Guild. Her writing and opinions have been featured by Americans for the Arts and The National Guild for Community Arts Education.