Testimonials from our Participants

Arts Integration: The ArtID Approach

Throughout my lengthy career in educational leadership, I have worked with many esteemed researchers and experts, and it has been a fantastic experience working with Dr. James-Wilson. She possesses an incredible depth of knowledge and is a highly accomplished researcher, teacher and expert in several fields. She is a highly collaborative and accommodating partner who truly understands our goals and helps us get closer to achieving them.

 Dr. James-Wilson helped our entire community to better align around how equity, diversity and inclusion is not only an important part of the culture of our school board, but is in fact the work to best help our students realize their maximum potential and help make our world a better place. Dr. James-Wilson has always proven to be professional, practical, and responsive to our needs, and it is my pleasure to recommend her to any organization who is serious about doing this incredibly important work.

 Following our collaboration with Dr. James-Wilson, students, staff, and community partners recognized her expertise, but what struck them most was that she is a passionate teacher at heart who truly relates to all people- young, old, and in-between. All were wowed by the work they were able to do with her, and we have been thrilled to have her by our side as we support our students, families, each other, and our partners to make a real difference in our schools, communities and beyond. — Dr. D. Haime OCT, Ed.D., Director of Education (Ontario, Canada)

During the planning phase of the residency, I enjoyed being challenged by someone outside of Antigua who brought a different perspective to the curriculum. At first my students were like “Who is this lady?” and things like changing the arrangement of the classroom and asking them to participate in drama games pushed them outside of their comfort zones, but they quickly became accustomed to her, and as they got used to her approach they enjoyed it. Though my students are different from those in North America, Dr. Sonia was able to adjust her style and approach and that helped me realize the importance of adapting my lessons to be more responsive. After the residency, my students asked if we were going to continue to use drama and art as part of our lessons, and I believe that more teachers on the island should have this type of learning opportunity. — A. Brann, Secondary School English Teacher (Antigua, West Indies)

Dr. Sonia has mastered her craft of using culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy (CRRP) in helping our students use their identities to understand their own power.  For the last two school years, she has helped my Anatomy and Physiology students gain insights into their personal identities through visual arts, while examining their personal beliefs about culture.  Students had to look deeply into who they are as individuals and what characteristics make up their identity.  Through discussions and modeling, my students were able to not only learn about their own culture, but also about the cultures of their classmates. 

Additionally, Dr. Sonia opened our eyes up to the realities of current events happening right here in Rochester.  My classes looked into the Black Lives Matter Movement and the police brutality that is not only occurring in our nation, but right here in our own backyard.  Our co-planning and co-teaching provided questions and resources that led to great discussions amongst students about the situations we explored. By sharing their views and opinions, I was able to really get a sense of how my students are doing during these turbulent times and how I can step in to support them. Dr. Sonia has a wealth of knowledge and experiences in CRRP, and the impact of having her come in to lead engaging activities and discussions based on real life scenarios is something my students will carry with them into their future. — E. Boress, Secondary School Science Teacher

I have been privileged to know Dr. Sonia James-Wilson for over 20 years and have witnessed first-hand her passion and dedication to social justice education. She brings the highest level of knowledge, skills, creativity, and innovation to the table as well as compassion and a deep commitment to educational and social change. Whether she is working with urban schools in the United States and Canada, rural villages in Kenya, Antigua, and Mexico or working amongst indigenous communities, Dr. James-Wilson fosters deep and lasting partnerships and connections based on mutual trust and respect as the foundation for teaching and learning. Her innovative pedagogical strategies integrate art and creativity to generate knowledge of the self, community, and culture among the diverse populations with which she works. Her approach opens up the world in new ways so that children can deal with the challenges of the present and imagine alternative futures.

The influential Brazilian educator Paulo Freire once said “What the educator does in teaching is to make it possible for the students to become themselves.” Creating the possibilities for learners to be self-actualized and positively connected to others in the world around them is a hallmark of Dr. James-Wilson’s teaching and philosophy of education. She integrates a holistic pedagogy and praxis that engages the body, mind, and spirit. This is crucial at a time when so many are disengaged from places of learning or from their own place in the world. Few educators have the skills and experience to understand and apply educational praxis as a means of social justice, liberation, and hope in the way that she does. — Dr. J. Zine, University Professor