Tina Eckton

Tina graduated with an Elementary Education degree (K-9th) with a minor in Art. She began her career as a middle school classroom teacher teaching LA/Lit/SocSt, Art, Outdoor School as well as HS coaching. Children’s Art Institute is where she first started mentoring teachers and understanding the value of teaching in partnership to grow ideas about child agency and open inquiry learning.

She has owned her own business for over 15 years and has been a contractor in private, public, and charter schools in many districts within a wide range of populations. Part of her early business work was teaching classes in her studio to groups of students ranging from 4 years old to adult ages.

Her contract work has included: Mentoring teachers & specialists connecting materials-thinking within classroom curriculum, Artist-In-Residencies, curriculum development, working with businesses and materials-thinking, doing research, being a liaison educator between a charter school and a public school, community and school connections work, nature connections and outdoor learning, and leading professional development workshops with educators, administrators, and educational specialists.

Besides learning, Tina is passionate about neuroarts, nature connection, open-inquiry, creativity, and the power of awe. Right now what makes her smile is saying, “There are many ways.”