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Remembering Curriculum Together Through Art: A Currere Study of Inner AestheticResponse and Memories of Art Creation About Difficult Knowledge With Three Former Visual Art Students

Tellie, B. A. (2026). Remembering Curriculum Together Through Art: A Currere Study of Inner Aesthetic Response and Memories of Art Creation About Difficult Knowledge With Three Former Visual Art Students (Order No. 32448289). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ George Washington University - WRLC; ProQuest Central; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3311912916). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/remembering-curriculum-together-through-art-em/docview/3311912916/se-2

Note:
This is Benjamin Tellie’s original doctoral dissertation. Portions of this work may be revised and developed into future publications. Please cite accordingly.

Keywords:
Currere; Curriculum theory; Emotion and aesthetics; Inner aesthetic response; Psychoanalysis

A full record of my publications appears below:

LITERARY JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

Tellie, B. and Schwebach, E. (2026, April). Two Poems and Two Artworks. The Ekphrastic Review.

Tellie, B. (2025, Fall). Red Plateau (2016) and Peter and Me (2020). January House Literary Journal, 1(2), pp. 1; 19; 59-60.

Tellie, B. (2025, June). Artwork by Ben Tellie. January House Literary Journal Blog.

PEER-REVIEWED ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

Tellie, B. and Schwebach, E. (2025). Decolonization through artistic self-expression: Addressing racism in the secondary art and design classroom with Fanon and Pinar. Journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies, 16(2), 61-83.

Tellie, B. (2023). Essay book review, affect in artistic creativity: Painting to feel. Journal of Curriculum Theorizing, 38(1), 46–50.

Tellie, B., & Dracup, J. (2015). Exploring bullying through artmaking. Art Education, 69(1), p. 8-15. 

CONSULTING PUBLICATIONS 

Tellie, B. (2024). Board roadmap to DEI governance: A user guide. Dr. Valaida Wise Consulting, LLC.

Tellie, B. (2023). American Montessori Society DEI/ABAR assessment tools for Montessori TEPs and schools. Dr. Valaida Wise Consulting, LLC.

PEER-REVIEWED PRINTED PUBLICATIONS

Tellie, B. (2016, March).More than a letter grade. School Arts Magazine, 115(7), 16.

Tellie, B. (2015, September). Peer-to-peer reflections. School Arts Magazine, 115(1), 14. 

PEER-REVIEWED ONLINE PUBLICATIONS

Tellie, B. (2020, April 03). Zman Kodesh and the visual arts in the high school. Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School.

Tellie, B. (2020). Incorporating psychoanalytic thinking into art education. Maryland Art Education Association Blog. 

NAEA Blog Publications

Tellie, B. (2019, September 23). The truth of curriculum. National Art Education Association Monthly Mentor Publication. 

Tellie, B. (2019, September 23). Artist-as-teacher balance: Finding the time to create. National Art Education Association Monthly Mentor Publication. 

Tellie, B. (2019, September 18). VisAbility Art Lab, Rockville, MD. National Art Education Association Monthly Mentor Publication.

Tellie, B. (2019, September 16). Artist Justin Valenti. National Art Education Association Monthly Mentor Publication.

Tellie, B. (2019, September 9). Insect interventions. National Art Education Association Monthly Mentor Publication. 

Tellie, B. (2019, September 11). Insect interventions, part II. National Art Education Association Monthly Mentor Publication.

Tellie, B. (2019, September 6). Teamwork and mentoring new colleagues. National Art Education Association Monthly Mentor Publication. 

Tellie, B. (2019, September 4). Organizational strategies before teaching begins. National Art Education Association. Monthly Mentor Publication.

Tellie, B. (2019, September 2). Commuting to school. National Art Education Association Monthly Mentor Publication. 

MAEA Gazette Publications

Tellie, B. (2017, January). My trip to Budapest, Hungary. Maryland Art Education Association Gazette.

Tellie, B. (2016, April). What can NAEA do for art educators?Maryland Art Education Association Gazette. 

Tellie, B. (2016, December). Google Cardboard: Experiences in virtual reality. Maryland Art Education Association Gazette. 

Tellie, B. (2016, October). Writing as a way to reflect on classroom practice. Maryland Art Education Association Gazette. 

Tellie, B. (2015, April). Exploring various approaches to your research question. Maryland Art Education Association Gazette. 

Tellie, B. (2015, December). Creating a research question in the studio classroom. Maryland Art Education Association Gazette. 

Tellie, B. (2015, October). Exploring research in the art classroom. Maryland Art Education AssociationGazette. 

Rao, S. & Tellie, B. (2014, April). MAEA Research Division. Maryland Art Education Association Gazette.

Tellie, B. (2014, October). Teaching as design: Assessment and arts-based research. Maryland Art Education Association Gazette. 

Tellie, B. (2013, October). Let’s talk: A studio approach to cyberbullying. Maryland Art Education Association Gazette. 

Tellie, B. (2012, October). The online dialogue: Exploring classroom blogging and website creation. Maryland Art Education Association Gazette. 

FEATURED WORK

Schere, D. (2017, May 3). Hungarian teachers savor the silence at Rockville day school. Washington Jewish Week.

Schwab, H. (2016, November-December). Profiles, one’s to watch, leading young professionals: Benjamin Tellie. Bethesda Magazine.

COMPETITIONS

3MT (Three-Minute Thesis) Competition, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., February 2025. Dissertation Topic Presentation: “Remembering curriculum together through art: A currere study of inner aesthetic response and memories of art creation about difficult knowledge with three former visual art students.”

ACADEMIC PAPERS PRESENTED AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS 

2024 BATON ROUGE, LA – Paper on the topic of Artful reflections in qualitative research: Currere and visual art making in the autobiographical interview. In session II of Curriculum Camp 2024, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.

2022 DAYTON, OH – Paper on the topic Curriculum Melancholia: Letters to my Son about Whiteness and the Melancholic Forces that Live in Education. In a session entitled, teaching, curriculum, and currere. 42nd Annual Bergamo Conference on Curriculum Theory and Classroom Practice. Bergamo Conference Center, Dayton, Ohio.

2021 DAYTON, OH – Paper on the topic Decolonization Through Artistic Self-Expression: Addressing Racism in the Secondary Art and Design Classroom With Fanon and Pinar, by Benjamin Tellie and Dr. Elliott Schwebach. In the panel entitled Beams of Darkness: Learning Experientially about Hard History and Racial Redress through Self-reflective Visual Art and Wordless Narratives. 41st Annual Meeting of the Bergamo Conference on Curriculum Theory and Classroom Practice. The panel is run by Benjamin Tellie (George Washington University), Leslie Smith Duss (George Washington University), and Elliott Schwebach (Johns Hopkins University).

2019 DAYTON, OH –Paper on the topic Autobiographical Curriculum through Art: Working In Between Past Difficult Histories, First author. In Brian Casemore’s (Chair), Exploring Aesthetic Refraction as a Catalyst for Curricular Change: Autobiographical Investigations of Teaching In and Through the Arts. 40th Annual Bergamo Conference on Curriculum Theory and Classroom Practice. Bergamo Conference Center, Dayton, Ohio.

2016 CHICAGO, IL – Paper on the topic Bullying: Outfits, Play, and Transformations Through Comics, Creatures, and Artifacts. Paper, “Exploring bullying through artmaking.” National Art Education Association National Convention.

INVITED GUEST LECTURES and TALKS

2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. Open House Speaker, Washington-Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis, Talk: Autobiographical moments: My experiences in the Psychoanalytic Studies Program, February 2026, Remote.

2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. Guest Speaker for Dr. Brian Casemore’s Reimagining Curriculum Through the Humanities RPT Incoming Doctoral Cohort, August 26, 2025, The George Washington University, Remote.

2022 BALTIMORE, MD. Guest Lecturer for Dr. Elliott Schwebach’s undergraduate course, Theories and Histories of Property. AS.191.330, March 17, 2022. Johns Hopkins University. Lecture entitled, “Property violation and destruction” which covered the the history of graffiti in urban settings and political and psyche-social dimensions of anti-racist art making and graffiti.

PEER-REVIEWED SOLO PRESENTATIONS 

2017 CATONSVILLE, MD – Artist talk on the topic Painting within Abstract Expressionism. pARTners exhibit, Baltimore County Arts Guild.

2014 SAN DIEGO, CA –Action research on the topic Wall to Wall: Examining Street Art and Technology in the Studio Classroom. National Art Education Association National Convention.

2013 SILVER SPRING, MD – Action research on the topic STOP Bullying: Strategies, Thoughtful Practice, and Art Making. Maryland Art Education Association State Conference

2013 ST. MICHAEL’S, MD – Presentation on the topic of Exploring Student Performance. Aims Teachers Retreat, Harbourtowne.

2012 NEW YORK, NY –Classroom action research on the topic Recordings and Dialogue: Exploring Classroom Blogging as a Form of Self & Group Reflection. National Art Education Association National Convention

2011 ANNAPOLIS, MD. Presentation on the topicExploring Classroom Transitions: Reflections of a First Year Art Teacher. Maryland Art Education Association State Conference.

PEER-REVIEWED GROUP PRESENTATIONS

2019 GAITHERSBURG, MD – Presentation on the topic of Art of Grief: Community Art Workshops and Classroom Practice to Support Healing. Jessie Nathans and Benjamin Tellie. Maryland Art Education Association Conference. Watkins Mill High School, Gaithersburg, MD.

2019 BOSTON, MA – Presentation on the topic Art of grief: Community art workshops and classroom practice to support healing. Benjamin Tellie and Jessie Nathans. National Art Education Association National Convention.

2017 BALTIMORE, MD– Presentation on the topic Community Artmaking Workshops for Healing and Wellness: Discovering the Healing Effects of Art. Gilly Cannon, Jessie Nathans, and Benjamin Tellie. Maryland Art Education Association State Conference, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

2016 BALTIMORE, MD – Presentation on the topic The Hybrid Art Educator. Jessie Nathans and Benjamin Tellie. Maryland Art Education Association State Conference, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

2015 ELLICOTT CITY, MD –Arts-based researchpresentation on the topic #ATSAT –Art Teacher Seeking Art Teacher: Finding Informed Collaborative Inspiration in an Often Isolating Profession. Caro Appel, Lillian Chun, Lauren Cook, Jessie Nathans, Shyla Rao, and Benjamin. Maryland Art Education Association State Conference, Centennial High School.

2014 CLARKESVILLE, MD– Classroom action research presentation on the topic The Whole Art Educator: Remixing Studio Practice and Investigation in a Digital Age. Jessie Nathans, and Benjamin Tellie. Maryland Art Education Association State Conference, River Hill High School.

2014 SAN DIEGO, CA –Classroom action research presentation on the topic The Whole Art Educator: Remixing Studio Practice and Investigation in a Digital Age. Shari Bergel, JessieNathans, and Benjamin Tellie. National Art Education Association National Convention.

2013 FORTH WORTH, TX – Classroom action researchpresentation on the topic Artmaking and Spirituality: Identity, Discourse, and Exploration. Jessie Nathans and Benjamin Tellie. National Art Education Association National Convention.

2013 FORTH WORTH, TX – Classroom action research presentation on the topic Exploring Bullying Through Artmaking. Benjamin Tellie and Josh Dracup. National Art Education Association National Convention.

2010 BALTIMORE, MD – Classroom action researchpresentation on the topic Infusing Technological Exploration into Art Education. Stephanie Dore, Josh Dracup,  and Benjamin Tellie. National Art Education Association National Convention.

2009 NEW YORK, NY – Graduate presentation on the topic Play and Investigation: Surfacing Insights, Conversations Across Artistic Cultures. Judith Burton, Matthew Carrigan, Maggie Chang, Josh Dracup, Cathy Rosomond, Deborah Schrier, and Benjamin Tellie.Bridging Discourses: A Symposium, Teachers College, Columbia University.

INVITED WEBINARS AND PRESENTATIONS

2021, April 14 – National professional learning webinar presenter, National Art Education Association.Creating, Presenting, Responding, and Connecting The Middle School Curriculum and the NCCAS Standards. By Benjamin Tellie and Jessie Nathans, 1 hour of professional development credit as designated by NAEA.

2019 GAITHERSBURG, MD – Presentation and workshop on How to Use Art as a Tool to Support Grieving Children. By, Jessie Nathans and Benjamin Tellie. Good Grief Club and Counselor Appreciation Event, Caring Matters.

PANELS

2024 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Panel speaker on Autobiographical Curriculum Studies: A Panel Discussion on the Theory and Practice of Currere, November 7, 2024 at The George Washington University. Panelists: Dr. Sandra Vanderbilt (GW, GSEHD), Dr. Dowan McNair-Lee (UDC), and Ben Tellie (GW, C&I, Ed.D). Discussant: Dr. Brian Casemore (GW, GSEHD). Hosted by “The Reimagining Curriculum Through the Humanities” research team in the Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy. 1776 G Street NW, room C103.

2019 BOSTON, MA– Panel speaker on Excellence in Our Midst, Middle-Level Awardee Showcase, NAEA Middle-Level Division. Moderators: Bareis, K., & Curran, P. Panelists: Davis, J., M., Gaub, Gentili, A., Tellie, A. B., Vidal-Santos, C., Weatherford, J. National Art Education Association National Convention.

WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE

2017- 2020 GAITHERSBURG, MD – Workshop co-instructor for grief and family loss art workshops, CaringMatters, Inc. By, Jessie Nathans and Benjamin Tellie (Voluntary).

2014 – 2018 BETHESDA, MD– Art and wellbeing workshops, Mind and Body Wellness Day and Cancer Survivor Day Conferences, North Bethesda Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Kaiser Permanent. By Jessie Nathans and Benjamin Tellie (Freelance). 

2014 PORTLAND, OR– Workshop instructor, art along the trail, Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center.

2013 Washington, D.C. – Workshop co-instructor for exploring identity and spirituality through hands-on art-making, ROUTES: A Day of Jewish Learning, American University. By Jessie Nathans and Benjamin Tellie. 

2009 NEW YORK, NY– Linoleum and woodblock relief workshops, Teachers College, Columbia University

PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH INTERACTIVE CAFE CHATS

2015 Hosted Assessing Learning in Students’ Responses to Works of Art, Interactive Cafe Chat. National Art Education Association Research Commission Interactive Cafe. Stephanie Downey, Michelle Grohe, Olga Hubard, and Benjamin Tellie.

2015 Official Commenter. “Researching School Programs in the Art Museum.” Interactive Cafe Chat, National Art Education Association Research Commission Interactive Cafe, Benjamin Tellie.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Remembered Places: Benjamin Tellie Works on Paper, Vis Arts Center, Rockville, MD, 2010 

CURATED EXHIBITIONS

Collective Clarity, Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 2009

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

Faculty Art Exhibit, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Rockville, MD, 2012-2025

Baltimore County Arts Guild Members Exhibit, Baltimore County Arts Guild Gallery, Catonsville, MD, 2017

pARTner Exhibit, Baltimore County Arts Guild Gallery, Catonsville, MD, 2017

Demo Studio: Teaching as a Design Process, D Center, Baltimore, MD, 2014

Carnival of Chocolates Auction , The Dwelling Place, VisArts Center, Rockville, MD, 2012 - 2014                    

Arts Seen Gallery, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 2011        

Younger Than Moses: Idle Worship, Benrimon Contemporary, New York, NY, 2010 

Student Teachers Student Exhibition Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 2010    

Bridging Discourses: Conversations Across Artistic Cultures, Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 2009

Student Exhibition of Prints, Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 2009  

JURIED EXHIBITIONS

Celebrating Bridges: Art and Art Education Program Alumni Exhibition. Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, 2021

National Art Education Association Member Exhibition, NAEA Studio & Gallery, Alexandria, VA. October - April, 2017 - 2018

Maryland Art Education Association Member Exhibit, International Terminal Gallery, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore, MD, 2012  

2008 Senior Seminar Exhibition: 31 Degrees North, The Space, Avenue North Shopping Center, 2nd Floor, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.

2007 Mid-Town Village Painting Exhibit, Wyoming Valley Art League Midtown Gallery, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

2007 Student Exhibition of Fine Prints, School District of Philadelphia, Second Floor, Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA.

2007 Fine Art Exhibition, Macdonald Gallery, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA.

2007 Student Exhibition, Fish Bowl Gallery, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.

2006 Student Exhibition, Fish Bowl Gallery, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.

2006 Painting Exhibition, Wyoming Valley Art League Gallery, Kingston, PA.

2004 Student Show, Keystone College Library, Keystone College, La Plume, PA.

2003 Painting Exhibition: Wyoming Valley Art League, Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

2002 Spring Fine Art Exhibit, Wyoming Valley Art League Gallery, Kingston, PA.

2001 Congressional Arts Competition, Washington DC.

2001 Cultural Arts Committee Spring Exhibition: Wyoming Valley Art League, Hoyt Library, Kingston, PA.

2001 Spring Fine Arts Exhibit, Wyoming Valley Art League Gallery, Kingston, PA.

2000 Spring Fine Arts Exhibit, Wyoming Valley Art League Gallery, Kingston, PA.

Advanced Professional Teaching License (APL), Maryland. Issued March 2025. Credential ID 29599.

Pediatric First Aid, CPR, AED (child/infant/adult), HSI. Issued March 2025. Credential ID C64372686

Social and Behavioral Research. CITI Program. Issued September 2024. Credential ID 42623793.

Youth Mental Health First Aid. National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Issued October 2023.

Consulting Awards

Montessori Innovator Award - American Montessori Society, 2023 (Ben was the author of a teacher training manual that was published for the American Montessori Society (AMS). Dr. Valaida Wise Consulting was awarded the 2023 Montessori Innovator Award for this work).

National and State Level Teaching and Art Education Awards

First Place Award, Reflections Magazine: Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, American Scholastic Press Association, 2024 (Faculty advisor) 

National Middle-Level Art Educator Award, National Art Education Association, 2020

Eastern Region Middle-Level Art Educator Award, National Art Education Association, 2019

Middle School Level Career Art Educator Award, Maryland Art Education Association, 2017 

Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

Fifteen-Year Service Teaching Award, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Rockville, MD, 2025

Ten-Year Service Teaching Award, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Rockville, MD, 2020

Five-Year Service Teaching Award, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Rockville, MD, 2015

Visual Art Awards

First Place Award, Maryland Art Educators Members Exhibit, BWI Airport, Baltimore, MD, Maryland Art Education Association, 2012

Art and Art Education Department Achievement Award in Printmaking, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, 2008       

Faculty Award, Thirty-Ninth Annual Student Art Exhibition, Temple University, 2007

Academic Awards

Presidential Scholars Award, Temple University, 2008

Dr. Benjamin Tellie has secured more than $73,000 in competitive merit scholarships, endowment awards, and grants from The George Washington University, Teachers College Columbia University, Harvard University, the SECU MD Foundation, and the American Psychoanalytic Association. This record reflects sustained recognition and commitment to advancing the fields of curriculum studies, art education, and K–12 teaching and learning.

Grants

Legacy Heritage Teacher Institute for the Arts (LHTIA) Grant 2021–2022

• Secured a grant to design and implement a spiral Judaic studies and visual arts curriculum integrating biblical texts, Jewish identity, and studio art practice for students at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. Included year-long professional development through monthly mentorship, virtual seminars, and technology training.

Tuition Support for Academics Grant — American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) 2020–2021

• Recipient of the Tuition Support for Academics Grant from the American Psychoanalytic Association, awarded in support of doctoral study.

Arts and Passion-Driven Learning Seminar Grant — Harvard University June 2013

• Recipient of funding to attend the Arts and Passion-Driven Learning Seminar at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Scholarships

Mary H. Futrell Scholarship 2025–2026

• Recipient of the Mary H. Futrell Endowment Scholarship at The George Washington University, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction across the final year of study.

Ruth Ann Parker and David Leonard Wells Scholarship 2024–2025

• Recipient of the Ruth Ann Parker and David Leonard Wells Endowment Scholarship at The George Washington University, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

Griffith Family Endowment Scholarship 2023–2024

• Recipient of the Griffith Family Endowment Scholarship at The George Washington University, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

Dean's Power & Promise Fund 2022

• Recipient of emergency COVID-19 relief funding through the Dean's Power & Promise Fund at The George Washington University, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

Merit Scholarship for Doctoral Studies in Curriculum & Instruction Summer 2022

• Recipient of a merit scholarship at The George Washington University in recognition of academic achievement, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

SECU MD Foundation Scholarship — Grand Prize 2021

• Recipient of the SECU MD Foundation's grand prize scholarship in support of doctoral study in Curriculum and Instruction at The George Washington University.

Ruth Ann Parker and David Leonard Wells Endowment Scholarship 2020–2021

• Recipient of the Ruth Ann Parker and David Leonard Wells Endowment Scholarship at The George Washington University, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

Merit Scholarship for Doctoral Studies in Curriculum & Instruction 2020–2021

• Recipient of a merit scholarship at The George Washington University in recognition of academic achievement, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

National Council for Education and Human Development Endowment Scholarship 2019–2020

• Recipient of the National Council for Education and Human Development Endowment Scholarship at The George Washington University, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

Merit Scholarship for Doctoral Studies in Curriculum & Instruction Summer 2019

• Recipient of a merit scholarship at The George Washington University, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

Kellogg Graduate Student Endowment Scholarship 2018–2019

• Recipient of the Kellogg Graduate Student Endowment Scholarship at The George Washington University, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

Merit Scholarship for Doctoral Studies in Curriculum & Instruction Summer 2018

• Recipient of a merit scholarship at The George Washington University, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

Merit Scholarship for Doctoral Studies in Curriculum & Instruction 2017–2018

• Recipient of a merit scholarship at The George Washington University in recognition of academic achievement, awarded in support of doctoral coursework in Curriculum and Instruction.

Art and Art Education Scholarship 2008–2009

• Recipient of the Art and Art Education Scholarship at Teachers College, Columbia University, awarded in support of graduate study in art and art education.