Educator Speaker Series: Unveiling Hip Hop's Transformative Connection to SEL and EDI in Arts Education

Join multidisciplinary artist and Connected Arts Networks (CAN) national teacher leader Chay Ross on a journey exploring hip hop's link to social-emotional learning (SEL) and equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) in arts education. Discover how urban communities and artists like Kendrick Lamar and Nipsey Hussle can inspire curriculum and inform visual storytelling through inquiry, multimedia and traditional art approaches.

About the Speaker

Chay Ross is a multifaceted artist, educator, and conference presenter hailing from the inland cities of South Bay and South Central Los Angeles, California. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from California State University Los Angeles, she elevated her academic journey with a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) and a California Single-Subject Clear Teaching Certification in Visual Arts. Recognized as a U.S. congressionally acknowledged teacher leader with the National Art Education Association’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN), Ross currently serves as an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Commissioner for the California Art Education Association (CAEA). She’s also a Visual and Performing Arts district facilitator, VAPA Instructional Lead, and an Adobe for Education Innovation Leader. With over 18 years of experience in education, she is currently in her 12th year at Alliance Cindy and Bill Simon Technology Academy High School, having taught an array of courses including Introduction to Art, Commercial Art, Digital Design, Yearbook Publication, and Advanced Placement Art & Design, with a strong emphasis on SEL, ED&I, literacy, and technology skills, culture, and identity, rooted in contemporary social issues. In her leisure time, she enjoys creating jewelry, zen doodling, exploring controversial podcasts, analyzing select hip-hop music, and quad skating.