Community Unity for the Arts in Columbus

Five years ago, Jason Blair, an art teacher at Dublin City Schools’ Abraham Depp Elementary School in Upper Arlington, saw a need for educators to see how new teaching practices were being implemented by others. This led to the creation of the Agents of Change Festival in 2019, an annual event where teachers and students could come together to showcase and reflect on their year-round classroom explorations.

The goal of the festival was to break down district barriers and bring together passionate educators who were willing to challenge traditional teaching methods. The first festival saw educators from five to six different districts coming together at the Columbus Museum of Art to showcase student agency. The most recent festival included 15-18 teachers from eight districts and attracted 450 attendees. This year’s festival will be held at the Emerald Campus in Dublin on May 18.

Amanda Schaeffer, an art and ecology teacher at Hilliard City Schools, has attended the festival every year. She believes it is a valuable platform to showcase student learning and inspire others to make positive changes within their own spheres of influence. One of Schaeffer’s projects involved teaching students about sustainable agricultural practices and reducing carbon footprints, which they presented to agriculture experts and received feedback on.

Schaeffer’s students have continued their work beyond the classroom, showing the lasting impact of the festival. This year, Schaeffer and her students are participating in The Global Comic Project, collaborating with schools from 37 countries to create a collective comic book. The project aims to break down barriers and foster empathy among students from different cultures.

Jason Blair has witnessed the festival’s influence on both students and teachers, noting how it empowers students to take ownership of their learning. Blair and Schaeffer have seen their students grow in creativity and initiative over the years, highlighting the importance of giving students a voice and letting them play a role in shaping their educational experiences.

The Agents of Change Festival continues to inspire educators and students to think creatively and make a difference in their communities. As teachers and students come together to showcase their projects and ideas, they are building a community of learners who are empowered to create positive change in the world.