Sloan McLain

About Sloan McLain

20+ years of instructional leadership, expertise, and passion for teaching and learning. Key innovator and long-time contributor to Austin\'s nationally recognized Creative Learning Initiative. Piloted CLI in her classroom and was awarded AISD\'s Elementary Teacher of the Year. Led inaugural CLI instructional coaching team and joined MINDPOP, the managing partner of CLI, as its first Education Director. Designing Creative Teaching workshops for thousands of teachers in AISD and nationwide with exceptional survey results. Thought leader in instructional strategies drawn from the arts that deepen critical thinking, embed cultural relevance, and strengthen social and emotional skills. Pragmatic approach to positive change helping 33 public school districts around the country use Creative Teaching with fidelity, ensure equitable access to arts learning, and integrate arts organizations into school culture to reinforce campus and district goals. Works with the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. to train special education, academics, and arts directors to use Creative Teaching strategies to serve the academic, cognitive, social and emotional needs of students with disabilities. Believes in learning spaces that allow students to explore their unique identities, grapple with challenging ideas and new perspectives, take risks, and confidently pursue their dreams. Proud mom of three kids who attended 10 AISD schools altogether, now in college in WA, PA, and TX! Loves gardening, cycling, sewing, playing the piano, and creating art.

Experience

1. Creative Learning Initiative Coordinator

   Austin Independent School District

   May 2022 — Present · Austin, TX, US

Education

• Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts

  Theater - Acting, Directing, Playwriting

  1990 — 1994

• The University of Texas at Arlington

  Master's degree, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

• The University of Texas at Arlington

  Master of Education - MEd, Educational Leadership and Administration, General

• Northwestern University

  Bachelor of Science, Cultural Anthropology

  1994 — 1998

Skills

• Community Building
• Yoga
• Theatre
• English Language Learners
• Non-Profit Administration
• K-12
• Training
• Campus Management
• Teaching English as a Second Language
• Literacy
• Fine Art
• Classroom Management
• Public Speaking
• Teaching
• Thematic Units
• Esl
• Meditation
• Arts Integration
• Dance Education
• Children's Yoga
• Tribes
• Teacher Training
• Improvisation
• Curriculum Development
• Austin Independent School District
• Piano
• Community Service
• Classroom
• Any Given Child
• Differentiated Instruction
• Educational Leadership
• Educational Technology
• Elementary Education
• Kennedy Center
• Curriculum Design
• Special Education