Original Illustrations by Ileana Lado
Literature has the power to illuminate, inspire, and challenge.
Rooted in both classroom teaching and museum education, Artful Learning integrates literature and visual art to deepen engagement, foster critical thinking, and cultivate creativity in the classroom. A key component of this approach is the use of original, hand-drawn illustrations that bring literary figures and complex concepts to life. This supports teachers by offering immersive, student-centered learning experiences that makes learning more dynamic and engaging.
Learning with Lado takes inspiration from the legacies of literary icons like James Baldwin, bell hooks, and Sandra Cisneros—writers who were also visionary educators. They used their art to challenge dominant narratives, ignite imagination, and guide future generations toward a more just and thoughtful world.
Refined through years of teaching in classrooms, community centers, and art institutions across New York City, Artful Learning transforms the way students interact with texts, helping them think boldly, express creatively, and see learning as an active, liberating force. This ensures that students form genuine and lasting connections with the material—engaging not just with words, but with the stories, voices, and artistic expressions that shape our world.
Artful Learning is structured around three core pillars, which are outlined in detail below. Through these guiding principles, Learning with Lado provides teachers with thoughtfully designed resources—illustrated worksheets, engaging activities, videos, and original artwork—that bridge literature and visual art to inspire students in meaningful ways.
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Rooted in the pioneering works of Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings and Dr. Geneva Gay, culturally responsive teaching forms the cornerstone of Artful Learning. This pillar uplifts diverse voices to foster empathy, cultural awareness, and belonging.
By engaging with diverse voices, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the richness of global storytelling while also seeing their own identities, histories, and lived experiences reflected in literature. This not only enriches classroom dialogue but also builds empathy and prepares learners to thrive in a multicultural world.
This approach is exemplified by the Mirrors and Windows series, which curates a diverse array of literature that serves dual purposes: providing students with "mirrors" to see their own experiences reflected in the stories, and offering "windows" into cultures and perspectives different from their own. The series will showcase works by authors from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities.
Critical Inquiry
Anchored in the transformative philosophies of Paulo Freire and bell hooks, this pillar empowers students to question, analyze, and think critically about the world around them. Freire rejected the traditional "banking model" of education—where knowledge is passively deposited into students—and instead championed a problem-posing approach that fosters inquiry, reflection, and meaningful dialogue.
Similarly, hooks saw education as the practice of freedom, an active process that goes beyond simply transferring knowledge. She stressed that for students to fully engage in this process, teachers must also commit to their own growth—teaching with authenticity and care to create an environment where students feel empowered to challenge oppressive systems, think independently, and imagine new ways of being.
Through literature, art, and discussion, we empower learners to challenge dominant narratives, engage in dialogue, and envision change. This method cultivates independent, critical thinkers equipped with the skills necessary to navigate and shape an evolving world. To support this process, The Blue Whale's Path provides a structured framework that guides educators in helping students engage with complex ideas at progressively deeper levels—encouraging them to question, reflect, and synthesize their understanding.
Creative Expression
Creative expression is not just an outlet—it is a vital force for understanding, connection, and change. This pillar is dedicated to empowering students to use writing and art-making as tools to express their identities, navigate challenges, and reimagine the world around them. Art has the power to turn reflection into action, helping students process complex themes, amplify their voices, and engage with history, literature, and culture in deeply personal ways.
Through this approach, students might create artwork directly tied to a novel’s themes, craft original poetry in response to a historical painting or artist, or experiment with mixed media to visually interpret social movements. This emphasis on creativity not only strengthens comprehension but cultivates a bold, imaginative spirit that fuels both personal expression and academic growth.
The Poetry-Minded series makes poetry an accessible and inviting medium for self-expression, encouraging students to explore verse as a means of storytelling and emotional exploration. Additionally, resources like the Think Like an Artist guide help learners see literature through an artistic lens, inspiring them to translate their insights into original creative projects. Whether through a poem, a painting, or a multimedia project, students are given the space to process the world around them and shape it with their own unique vision.
