Teaching through the Arts

Thanks to the support of the Ohio Arts Council, CMSD will continue to partner with multidisciplinary teaching artist, producer, and director, Sheela Das, during the 2026-27 school year through the TeachArtsOhio program at Joseph Gallagher K-8.

"Teaching through the Arts" at Joseph Gallagher provides weekly artistic workshops in grades K-8 and 6-8 AU designed to enhance student literacy skills through the creation of original plays and curricular songs. Instrumental music instruction and development of performance skills broaden students' artistic experiences. Lessons align with content standards for English Language Arts, Music, Drama, Science, and Social Emotional Learning. The entire school community, families, and community partners share in artistic workshops and performances at the school through the program.

Teaching artist Sheela Das is a professional performing artist with an extensive career in arts education, including developing and delivering a Kennedy Center for the Arts residency program in collaboration with international director and producer, artist Todd Rundgren. Sheela is the founder and artistic director of Creative Concepts in Music, whose mission is to promote peace, sustainability, and community engagement in the arts. Her body of work includes hundreds of public music performances and the creation of over 350 educational teaching songs designed for English Language Learners.