Pilot Implementation Results Reveal creatED Professional Learning by Crayola Energizes Classroom Instruction

Easton, PA. (June 25, 2018) — A year ago, Crayola, the brand that inspires creativity in education, made a commitment to expand its role in education by introducing its comprehensive professional learning program for educators, creatED Professional Learning. Pilot school districts from across the U.S. evaluated the program’s leadership, literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) workshops.

Eighty percent of participants rated the creatED program as better than other PD sessions they had attended. More than 90 percent of respondents described the value of the coaching insights gained as “very to extremely useful.” The vast majority—86 percent—rated the PD content as fitting “extremely or moderately well” with their teaching objectives.

“We’ve recognized that integrating art into the curriculum invigorates teaching and learning and that is why we’ve encouraged local education agencies to emphasize art in their local ESSA implementation plans,” said Dr. Pamela Fossett, education policy and professional practice manager at Alabama Education Association (AEA). “The creatED program has enabled AEA to build capacity for teacher leadership and equip educators with skills and resources they can use to energize classrooms and spark students’ love of learning.”

Districts in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina and Tennessee piloted creatED Professional Learning programs during the 2017-18 school year.

“Creativity is the cornerstone of the Crayola brand, which has been inspiring children across the U.S. for more than 115 years,” said Cheri Sterman, director of education at Crayola. “We set out with the goal of empowering educators through creatED and are thrilled to hear the positive responses from course participants. Together with school leaders, we are inspiring innovative practices in the classroom and seeing its impact on student achievement.”

To learn more about creatED Professional Learning by Crayola, visit www.crayola.com/education.

About creatED by Crayola

creatED by Crayola provides professional learning and resources to K-8 educators on leadership, multi-literacies and STEAM to prepare students with academic and life skills that hinge on creativity. By inspiring creative instruction through teacher leaders and project-based learning, creatED bolsters district-wide student engagement and improves learning outcomes. For more information, visit www.crayola.com/education and follow creatED by Crayola on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Crayola

Crayola LLC, based in Easton, Pa. and a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Incorporated, is the worldwide leader in children's creative expression products. Known for the iconic Crayola Crayon first introduced in 1903, the Crayola brand has grown into a portfolio of innovative art tools, crafting activities and creativity toys that offer children innovative new ways to use color to create everything imaginable.

# # #