About the Author

Lisa Kastello

Hi! My name is Lisa Kastello. I have a doctorate in Curriculum Leadership from Northern Illinois University. My ten years of higher education experience is in online program/curriculum development. I designed and implemented a completely online masters program for K-12 art teachers. Prior to my career at the university level, I was employed for 15 years as an art teacher in the Illinois public schools. In that setting, I constructed art curriculum based on current theory, designed and implemented student-centered courses, created and facilitated service-learning opportunities that promoted social justice.

It is my belief that art is both a thought process and means by which to act, therefore art has the potential to be used in an academic venue to pose problems and to solve problems. To teach people about art is to help them to “develop their power to perceive critically the way they exist…” (Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, p. 65) and to act upon those thoughts to transform their society.

Professional Achievements:

Illinois State University Bachelor’s Degree (1987)

Illinois State University Master’s Degree (2020)

Northern Illinois University Doctorate Degree (2011)