Let Them Cook II
ReNEW Laurel SLC, The NET Central City, ISL Uptown, Hynes Lakeview & Be Loud
Mia Rotondo & Kitty O’Connor
When teaching artists Kitty O’Connor and Mia Rotondo sat down to reflect on and share about their collaborative practice, they quickly realized that there were SO many stories of joyful collaboration woven throughout their semesters at school residencies, professional development, and planning with SO many other colleagues and community organizations- that just one story wouldn’t do! So please enjoy this ongoing reflection series on Collaboration and Arts Integration.
One Friday evening in 2023, I received the following text from a former colleague:
This text exchange was the beginning of my 3 year, and counting, adventure with Be Loud Studios! The Pass the Mic Teacher’s Fellowship provides financial support (gear & stipend), cohort experience, and direct coaching to create and broadcast audio content with youth. You can check out the bandcamp page, I Am an Artist, that I created through my experience with the Pass the Mic fellowship.
I had zero tools, knowledge or gear around podcasting prior to this fellowship. I gained an art form to share with youth! It was so powerful to play a role in getting youth the tools they need to amplify their voices, and I learned so much from the uplifting and supportive coaching style of Be Loud programming. When my fellowship was over, I was determined to continue creating audio content with youth, but I also wanted to keep working with Be Loud. I’m now entering my second year as an Alumni Coach, and I would love to work with you (NOLA based educators) in the future! Last school year, KID smART’s very own Arts Integration Specialist, Samantha King, was in the fellowship and created Energy Boost with 5th graders at one of our creative partner schools: ISL Uptown. Expect Pass the Mic 2026 Fellowship applications in August of 2026.
But before my journey, was Mia’s:
“I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities to bring to my students and BeLOUD was a perfect vehicle for my focus of creating spaces for students to be seen and heard and recognized for the awesome humans they are!. BeLOUD was down to dig in with me and welcomed me (and KID smART) into their Pass the Mic fellowship. From there we were able to find accessible tools and practices to make the sometimes complicated equipment, easy to use and FUN! Students used switches to activate recordings, and ON AIR switches to signal QUIET ON THE SET! In Jenny Boyce’s class at ReNEW Laurel we explored Comfortable and Uncomfortable sounds. At ReNEW Therapeutic Program- we let student voice lead with a makeshift morning show and even a poetry recording! I’m so thrilled that we were able to kick off such a great partnership that has brought our amazing KID smART teaching artists and student artists into the world of BeLOUD!”
Access Points (RTP & ReNEW Laurel SLC) 2022-2023 school year
Mia’s AXIS session with Be Loud
“Much like our collaboration with STEM Library Lab- I invited BeLOUD to bring their expertise to my AXIS Small Learning Group; STEAM-Arts Integration and STEM Learning! Together we co-planned and co-lead an arts integrated session introducing the technology behind podcasting and the art of poetry! We guided our group in creating beautiful found poetry collages with the definition of SOUND. Teachers were then able to record and mix their poems on BeLOUD’s equipment! This arts-integrated activity lives on as part of BeLOUD’s Pass the Mic Cohort welcome session. Collaboration wins again!”
SLG participants creating their found poetry with definitions of SOUND.
Alex introduces Podcasting tech to the group.
Jeff, Alex, and Mia after a successful SLG.
We hope these stories of collaboration can act as a resource to encourage collaboration in and out of YOUR classroom. Check out our other entries Let Them Cook and stay tuned for future collaborative recipes.
Let Them Cook… is a collaboration between KID smART Teaching Artist Kitty O’Connor and Arts Integration Specialist Mia Rotondo.
