“Art Is not a break from learning—it’s a way into it.”

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I began teaching art in New York, moving between schools and afterschool programs before becoming the founding K–5 art teacher at a Brooklyn charter school. There, I noticed that art was often treated as an isolated subject—fun, but disconnected from the rest of the school day. Student success was typically measured by how closely their work matched the teacher’s example.

I knew there had to be a better way.

So, I shifted my approach. In my classroom, we embraced process-driven projects—exploring big ideas, encouraging experimentation, and giving students the freedom to make their own creative choices. The classroom became calmer. The conversations grew deeper. I got to know my students more fully. And their artwork? It became beautifully unique—so much so that it was featured in SchoolArts magazine.

Work Samples

That shift sparked something bigger.

I began collaborating with classroom teachers to design integrated, student-centered projects that used essential questions to link inquiry-based art with core academic subjects. Together, we developed video demonstrations, teacher guides, and flexible tools that made art integration feel achievable and sustainable.

Eventually, I left my teaching position and founded Doodles Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to helping educators bring meaningful, arts-integrated learning directly into their classrooms.

Our flagship program, Artistry of Literacy, combines visual art with the Science of Reading to deepen comprehension, expand vocabulary, and bring stories to life.

From there, we grew:

Art of Early Education introduced early literacy and cultural exploration to preschoolers through process-based art.

Art-iculate! delivered cross-curricular projects in out-of-school settings, equipping afterschool educators with practical tools and training.

Teacher Studios became our signature model for professional learning, providing educators with hands-on experience in each project before introducing it to their students.

At its core, Doodles Academy was built on a simple belief:

Art is not a break from learning—it’s a way into it.

Curious to see more of what I do? Visit my LinkedIn page.

To chat about rates or upcoming projects, email me at tempest@doodles-academy.org

Over the next decade, we partnered with schools, museums, libraries, and community organizations to demonstrate just how powerful art can be—not just as a tool for self-expression, but as a catalyst for empathy, critical thinking, and academic connection.

In 2025, funding grew increasingly unstable, and we made the difficult but intentional decision to shut down the nonprofit branch of Doodles Academy. To ensure the curriculum and programming would live on, we merged our core offerings with larger organizations—keeping the work alive in classrooms and communities where it matters most.

But the mission didn’t end there.

I now continue Doodles as a for-profit venture, offering consulting, coaching, and curriculum design to schools, museums, nonprofits, and education organizations.

Whether I’m co-creating arts-integrated units, leading professional development, or helping a district reimagine how art supports literacy and inclusion—my goal is the same:

To use art as a tool for deeper learning, greater equity, and creative possibility.

  • Description:
    Developed themed collections of visual artworks aligned with commonly taught classroom subjects. These resources empowered teachers to integrate visual discussion and analysis into core content areas, fostering deeper engagement and critical thinking through art.


    "Tempest created skillfully crafted collaborative spaces, resulting in exceptional curricula—our work on the World War II Visual Arts text set was a true standout."
    -Ifetayo Abdus-Salam

  • Description:
    Led the development of a visual arts curriculum guide for a large California charter school network. The goal: create consistency across schools without sacrificing teacher creativity. The final product included model course maps, planning tools, assessments, and professional development ideas—all rooted in the National Core Arts Standards.


    "The curriculum guide Tempest built struck the perfect balance—structured, standards-based, yet flexible enough to support teacher creativity. It continues to shape meaningful, student-centered art education across the network."
    -Ethan Mitnick:

  • Description:
    During the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborated on the creation of a series of digital art magazines, each built around a high-level essential question. These resources supported remote and hybrid learning by offering students meaningful, art-driven inquiry experiences in an accessible, engaging format.

    "Tempest is a thoughtful and insightful curriculum developer—organized, communicative, and full of vision. She was an invaluable collaborator on these creative, student-focused resources."
    -Emily Hardy: