Elevate Your Arts and Enrichment Program
Does any of the following apply to your “specials” or enrichment teachers?
They’re often assigned to grade level meetings because there's no dedicated professional development or team lead for them?
Their classrooms are a hotbed for student misbehavior and classroom disruptions.
They are the only ones tasked with designing their own curriculum without support. and it’s in need of improvement.
They receive feedback primarily related to classroom management or low hanging fruit like lesson plan format or bulletin boards?
School performances are lackluster, not culturally relevant and/ or are disorganized.
They frequently sit through irrelevant PD sessions because no one knows how to develop them in their specific content area
If any of this resonates with you, you’re in the right place.
Hi! I’m Joy Marilie!
I’m a former music teacher, curriculum developer, school leader, non-profit manager,. I currently consult Arts Education Programs and organizations with over 20 years experience working in and with schools just like yours.
As an advocate for arts education, I believe every child deserves access to quality arts instruction led by well-trained educators. Unfortunately, arts educators often face unique challenges that traditional degree programs don’t adequately prepare them for. Once hired, school leaders struggle to develop them or integrate them into an academic-driven environment.
My goal is to bridge this gap by providing the tools, strategies, and mindsets necessary to help enrichment teachers meet school expectations without sacrificing their artistic integrity.
Philosophy
I believe strong classroom culture starts with genuine respect for children and a deep understanding of how they grow and learn. When students feel safe, connected, and understood, they’re more willing to take risks and engage deeply—especially in creative subjects.
Researcher Brené Brown found that 85% of people can recall a school moment so shaming it stayed with them for life—half of those were related to creativity. That’s why I prioritize strong relationships, and emotionally safe learning environments. When paired with thoughtful, engaging instruction, intentional planning and execution of routines, these foundations allow students to thrive—academically, socially, and creatively.
"Unused creativity is not benign. It metastasizes. It turns into grief, rage, judgment, sorrow, shame."
– Brene Brown, The Power of Vulnerability
Professional Development
Custom PD sessions tailored to your needs, covering topics like Positive and Creative Discipline, Enrichment Curriculum Development, and Effective Teaching Strategies in the Arts.
Conscious & Creative Connections’ Services
Arts Program Evaluation & Strategic Planning
Analyze your program’s strengths and weaknesses, then create a roadmap for growth..
One-on-One Teacher Coaching and Evaluation:
Provide individualized support for teachers to improve their classroom management, curriculum design and implementation, and engagement strategies.
Ready to Transform Your Arts Program?
Book a free consultation today! During our call, we’ll discuss the unique challenges you face, and I’ll provide tailored recommendations to meet your needs.
Let's work together to elevate your arts education program and support your teachers and students!
Testimonials
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Testimonials **
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"Thank you so much for your clear and detailed feedback! I actually took some of your critiques and incorporated them in my following Kinder class, and it helped. It instantaneously increased their retainment and comprehension. You are a valuable resource especially for music. I am looking forward to your return soon and help in cultivating/sequencing the music curriculum, and your constant push to make me a better teacher and our scholars more effective musicians."
-Ms. A, Music Teacher, Brilla College Prep
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"It's always a pleasure to have you with us! The Fine and Applied Arts Team continues to be excited to work with you and grateful for your assistance. Thank you for the feedback and your help brainstorming ideas to develop the whole team! I look forward to your next visit."
-Ms. Nicole Bryant, Dance Teacher Brilla College Prep
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I worked with Joy as a child educator and was part of many trainings by Joy both one-on-one and in groups. Joy is an absolute pleasure to work with. She completely disarms you with her charm and personability, but when it comes down to it she is an intensely passionate and highly skilled child educator and teaching coach. She really teaches the teachers how to teach on an extremely practical level. I owe a lot of my current success and career to her.
- Tristan McCoppin, Guitar Teacher, Former Brooklyn Conservatory of Music employee
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“I appreciate you seeing my unique approach and style and helping me guide it toward a more effective place, as opposed to calling it right or wrong. I think you've proven to be a great coach to me and recognizing my priority to support our students, as equal to them getting quality Music instruction speaks to your understanding as a teacher.”
-Matt Migliori, Early Childhood Music Teacher, TEP Charter School
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“Joy, you truly have been my advocate here, and I am grateful for you. I appreciate your feedback as action/activity based, and you always give great ideas that are appropriate for 1st grade. I also am appreciative of your model lesson this trimester. It was a big help.”
-Ms. Reyes, Music Teacher, TEP Charter School
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“Thank you for delivering such an engaging workshop this morning! We have received positive feedback and gratitude from those in attendance. It was our first time kicking off the year with an orientation across disciplines and bringing together our outreach and on site faculty. Our Directors and I feel that this was a great way to provide very tangible and practical tools to set them up for success.”
- Lynne Toye, Chief Administrative Officer, Harlem School of the Arts
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"Joy was my supervisor and mentor for four years when I was an arts educator in a public elementary school, and still to this day she has had the most profound impact on my teaching practice. During those years she committed to being in my classroom on a regular basis, having weekly coaching sessions, and also jumped in to co-teach with me when problems arose in the classroom and I needed to learn from her. She is extremely hands on and dedicated to the craft of teaching and learning. She has become my biggest mentor in the field of arts education and I will always be grateful for the time we worked and collaborated together. "
-Blair Brown, Former Dance teacher at Bronx Charter School for the Arts
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"It's always a pleasure to have you with us! The Fine and Applied Arts Team continues to be excited to work with you and grateful for your assistance. Thank you for the feedback and your help brainstorming ideas to develop the whole team! I look forward to your next visit."
-Ms. Nicole Bryant, Dance Teacher Brilla College Prep
Resources for Music Teachers
A collection of recorder warm-ups, songs and accompaniments with an urban pop feel