The Winter Institute 2025 brought together educators, creatives, and literacy advocates for a dynamic two-day experience centered around the Lit C.R.E.W. model. With the theme “Lit C.R.E.W. in Action: Crafting Stories Across Creative Lenses,” participants explored the power of storytelling through various artistic disciplines.
Day 1: Lit C.R.E.W. in Action
Date: February 12, 2025
Theme: Crafting Stories Across Creative Lenses
The morning kicked off with an engaging Welcome and Overview led by Natalie Colon, Senior Director, Comprehensive Program Support at ExpandED Schools. After a quick icebreaker to energize participants, the stage was set for a day of deep exploration into storytelling, creativity, and collaboration.
Lit C.R.E.W. in Action: Crafting Stories Across Creative Lenses (Facilitator: Tiffany Perry)
Participants dived into the Lit C.R.E.W. model, breaking down how stories come to life through different creative disciplines. Through a guided discussion and collaborative unpacking of a selected short story, educators explored themes, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills to drive deeper engagement with texts and their students.
Brainstorm Bonanza: Pushing the Creative Needle (Facilitators: Inayah Ansari & All Program Managers)
This highly interactive session, supported by creatives across multiple disciplines, encouraged participants to push their storytelling ideas further. Groups brainstormed project concepts in:
- Journalism (Facilitator: Alex De La Cruz)
- Visual Arts (Facilitator: Noel Morales)
- Digital Media (Facilitator: Allison Philippin)
- Performing Arts (Facilitator: Marleny Polanco)
The goal was to push creative and logistical boundaries, with facilitators providing targeted feedback to refine ideas.
Show & Tell: From Concept to Collaboration (Facilitator: Inayah Ansari)
To wrap up Day 1, teams presented their initial concepts for peer review. Through structured feedback, participants refined their approaches, setting the foundation for the hands-on work of Day 2.
Day 2: Crafting the Vision
Date: February 13, 2025
Theme: Bringing Projects to Life
The second day opened with a recap of Day 1 highlights led by Natalie Colon, setting the stage for deep creative engagement.
Crafting the Vision: Creative Teams in Action (Facilitators: Inayah Ansari & All Program Managers)
Participants took their ideas from concept to execution, finalizing their creative representations of the short story through:
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Digital Media
- Journalism
Each team focused on demonstrating how the Lit C.R.E.W. model drove their creative process while applying innovative techniques to storytelling.
Spotlight Showcase: Projects in Motion (Facilitator: Inayah Ansari)
Teams presented their projects in a 5-7 minute showcase, sharing their work with peers and facilitators. This interactive session allowed for valuable feedback, peer Q&A, and in-depth discussions on how storytelling can evolve across different creative lenses.
The Final Chapter: Reflecting and Moving Forward (Facilitator: Tiffany Perry)
The Winter Institute concluded with a group reflection on the progression of text over projects and vice versa. Through a discussion on “How Do We Row Both Oars Effectively?”, participants explored strategies for applying the Lit C.R.E.W. model beyond the conference, ensuring continued growth in creative literacy practices.
