About Deva

Deva the Art Teacher

A native to Philadelphia, Deva has been an art teacher for almost 10 years. With a MA in Art Education from University of The Arts, Deva has taught in both private and public schools in Philadelphia and Princeton, New Jersey. The core of Deva’s classroom approach has been one of Culturally Responsive Teaching to Art education developed by Professor Wanda B Knight, Penn State University. Deva’s art curriculum examines the experiences of Black, Brown, Indigenous, women, and other perspectives generally excluded from the curriculum. Through Knight’s framework and BARWE’S reflection/inquiry practices, Deva continues critical study of their own racial positionally and experiences of Whiteness, particularly as it relates to social power and privilege (Jay, 2005). Deva believes that through consistent study and reflection, they can slowly address their own unconscious biases and make changes so they can better support the academic, social and emotional well-being of all students they encounter.

Deva is also the Co-Founder of the Fresh Artists: Palates To Palettes program. This novel art curriculum that takes Philadelphia middle schoolers into the best restaurants in Philadelphia to meet the chefs, eat their signature culinary masterpieces, and then sketch and paint a still life of that meal. The result was not only a wonderful learning experience for all involved with the added benefit of beautiful interpretations of the Philadelphia food scene made by the kids. As young philanthropists, they give the use of this art to Fresh Artists to raise money that delivers art supplies to severely underfunded public schools. Large reproductions of the winning paintings are available for a donation to Fresh Artists.

When they are not teaching, Deva goes on hikes with her dogs, finding new adventures with their partner, practicing yoga, and printmaking in their studio.