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TAB Storytellers

TAB Storytellers

Written by: Abi Paytoe Gbayee & Jen Ferrari
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Join hosts Jen Ferrari (she/her) and Abi Paytoe Gbayee (she/her) as they have informal conversations with TAB leaders and educators, discussing topics related to the Teaching for Artistic Behavior movement in art education. Our goal with this TABcast is to hear the stories of how folx found TAB, are implementing TAB in their classrooms, and answer questions related to TAB. Also we promise to laugh at ourselves often and not take any of this too seriously, we just aren't those people.Abi Paytoe Gbayee & Jen Ferrari
Episodes
  • S4E11: Meet Tom Burkle & Liam Schneider

    S4E11: Meet Tom Burkle & Liam Schneider
    Jun 1 2026
    In this episode of TAB Storytellers, Jen and Abi sit down with longtime TAB educator Tom Burkle and preservice art educator Liam Schneider for a beautiful full-circle conversation about teaching, mentorship, student agency, and what it means to grow into TAB over time. Liam was once Tom’s elementary art student, later became Abi’s student at the University of Northern Colorado, and recently returned to Tom’s classroom as a student teacher. Together, they reflect on Tom’s early move toward choice, the small classroom moments that can shift an educator’s whole philosophy, and the power of seeing students, and future teachers, as capable artists and thinkers.The conversation moves through TAB history in Colorado, curriculum design, artist statements, classroom management, confidence-building, and the real planning and organization behind a choice-based studio. Tom and Liam also talk honestly about behavior, routines, individualized consequences, and the importance of reflective mentorship in helping new teachers stay grounded, curious, and willing to try again.Bonus update: Since this conversation was recorded in March (yes Abi was busy and yes she got behind and is playing catch up), Liam graduated and has found a job! He will be teaching high school pottery next year in the same town near Tom, and they are both excited for this next chapter. Here is a pic of Abi and Liam from the right before Liam graduated.ResourcesTeaching for Artistic Behavior / TAB: Official TAB website and starting place for learning more about TAB pedagogy, practice, professional development, and community. https://teachingforartisticbehavior.orgTAB Community on Mighty Networks: Online community for TAB educators to connect, ask questions, and share resources. https://teaching-for-artistic-behavior-inc.mn.co/Fred Tjardes School of Innovation, Greeley, Colorado: Mentioned by Liam and Abi as a powerful example of inquiry, student agency, theme-based learning, and choice-centered practice beyond the art room. https://ftsoi.greeleyschools.org/Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe: Tom mentions this book as part of his early thinking around curriculum, assessment, and how students demonstrate higher-level thinking. https://www.ascd.org/books/understanding-by-design-expanded-2nd-editionUnderstanding by Design Framework White Paper: A helpful overview of the UbD framework for curriculum planning and assessment. https://files.ascd.org/staticfiles/ascd/pdf/siteASCD/publications/UbD_WhitePaper0312.pdfOlivia Gude’s “Postmodern Principles: In Search of a 21st Century Art Education”: Liam references Connie Stewart introducing him to postmodern principles, which became a game changer in his understanding of choice, meaning-making, and contemporary art education. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00043125.2004.11653528University of Northern Colorado: Referenced as part of Liam’s preservice teacher education journey and Abi’s teaching context. https://www.unco.edu/pva/art-design/areas/art-education/TAB Colorado: Mentioned in the conversation as part of the broader Colorado TAB story and community. https://coloradotabinc.orgMassArt TAB Institute: Referenced in the conversation as part of the broader timeline of TAB professional learning and community-building. https://pce.massart.edu/programs/tabTeaching for Artistic Behavior: A Definition and Historiography by Abi Paytoe Gbayee: Abi mentions her dissertation and Tom’s connection to her research on continuums of choice. https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/teaching-artistic-behavior-definition/docview/2817860186/se-2 Here is a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehaviors.org⁠.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • S4E10: Meet the TAB Institute Directors & Attendees

    S4E10: Meet the TAB Institute Directors & Attendees
    May 24 2026

    Join us in this episode as we talk with TAB Institute Directors Melissa Purtee, Jen Rankey-Zona, and past TAB Institute attendees Ellie Bejar-Benz, Darren Farris, and Margaret Fetzko about the TAB Institute. This year’s focus is on building sustainable studios, and the power of being in community with other art educators. The conversation centers on how TAB helps students and teachers build creative confidence, use materials with intention, embrace authentic problem-solving, and reconnect with the joy and humanity of artmaking.


    Resources:

    Teaching for Artistic Behavior / TAB — official TAB website.

    TAB Professional Development — TAB workshops and professional development opportunities.

    TAB Mighty Networks Community — online TAB educator community.

    MassArt TAB Institute — MassArt’s Teaching for Artistic Behavior Summer Institute page.

    Massachusetts College of Art and Design / MassArt — official MassArt website.

    Boston Modern Quilt Guild: Current Quilt Shows & Events — includes the no-new-materials/upcycled denim quilt challenge mentioned in the episode.

    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston — mentioned as being near MassArt.

    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum — mentioned as another nearby Boston museum.

    Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plates — linked for the “Gelli blocks” reference.

    NAEA Learning: Going Deeper with Teaching for Artistic Behavior — includes Katherine Douglas and Diane Jaquith discussing TAB.Here is a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at ⁠storytellers@teachingforartisticbehaviors.org⁠.
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    1 hr
  • S4E9: Meet Jess Baker

    S4E9: Meet Jess Baker
    May 1 2026
    In this episode Abi and Jen welcome elementary TAB educator Jess Baker to explore the powerful connections between Teaching for Artistic Behavior, special education, differentiated instruction, and student independence. Jess shares how her graduate work helped her recognize the ways TAB already supports students with exceptionalities by centering choice, access, collaboration, and authentic artmaking. Together, we talk about honoring the whole child, advocating for students in the art room, and why play, freedom, and independence matter so deeply in a TAB studio. Resources:Teaching for Artistic Behavior / TAB — official TAB website. TAB Community on Mighty Networks — online TAB educator community. Parents Encouraging Parents / PEP Conference — Colorado Department of Education — conference Jess references for families of children with disabilities. CAST Universal Design for Learning Guidelines — UDL resource connected to the conversation about access and differentiated instruction. Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports / MTSS — MTSS resource connected to the discussion of student support systems. Response to Intervention within Colorado MTSS — RTI resource connected to the MTSS/RTI language in the episode. TAB Storytellers: Meet George Szekely & Ilona Szekely — episode referenced during the conversation about play, collections, and agency. Play and Art Podcast with Dr. Ilona and Dr. George Szekely — podcast focused on play-based art teaching. Discovery Museum — da Vinci Workshop — maker/exploration space Jen mentions. Boston Children’s Museum — Art Lab — hands-on art space mentioned in relation to children’s open-ended artmaking. The Art Barn / Cultural Center of Cape Cod — children’s art space on the Cape mentioned by Jen. Margie’s Java Joint — Greeley coffee shop mentioned in Abi and Jess’s story. Here is a lightly edited transcript of this episode. We recognize that there are probably errors and grammatical issues. If anyone with the time or inclination to edit this wants to do so, please email us at storytellers@teachingforartisticbehaviors.org. Also we are using our imagination to pretend Abi got this episode published in March. Life was life-ing.
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    57 mins
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