LEAH HUMMEL
design - education - creation
“A teaching artist is an artist who actively engages learners in consciously developing the aesthetics of their own processes for learning” - Arnold Aprill
I teach what I know, and my students teach me what they know.
Together, we create a deeper meaning of the subject through our collective.
Read to learn more about Leah's teaching artistry practices and experience.
Feel free to reach out for sample lesson plans and inquiries.
Inclusive Education
Leah believes that people of all abilities deserve individualized modes of access to curriculum, and that, no matter the subject, there is always a way to create curriculum to meet the needs of the learner. While living in Chicago, she worked for the Niles Township District for Special Education from 2015-2021 as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher. This experience gave her multiple skills in accessibility partnerships and a wealth of new modes of access for arts education. Leah also worked as an online Theatre Crafts instructor at the Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Program (RKPAP) as part of Yachad Chicago, serving Chicago's disabled Jewish community. They also served as the Site Coordinator at the Arc of the Capital Metro Area Downtown location in Austin, Texas, where they taught multi-disciplinary arts lessons.
Pictured: Leah's student sits at a table with an adaptive sewing lesson. They use a paper plate and yarn to practice the motion of hand-sewing.
Leah believes in the importance and inherent worth of educational & community theater, and the importance of continuing theatre education for young adults. From 2015-2020, Leah worked as the extracurricular costume and props designer at Niles West High School, in Skokie, IL. During their time there, they oversaw the design of 5 productions per school year, with a costume shop comprised of volunteer students. Among the lessons they taught my high schoolers were: sewing, costume maintenance, painting and dyeing, ironing and steaming, backstage wardrobe, hair & makeup, wig maintenance, props construction, and design. Most recently, Leah served as the costume show manager for UT's 2024 Summer Theater Workshop.
Pictured: the Niles West High School Costume Shop working on "Little Shop of Horrors". Several high schoolers sit at dress forms and sewing machines, stitching costumes.
Click through images to learn more about Leah's lessons & student work
