Hamden, CT — July 16, 2026 — Higher Order Thinking Schools, now celebrating 32 years of bringing arts and arts integrated learning to public schools across Connecticut, welcomed nearly 100 school leaders, educators, teaching artists, and students to its annual Summer Gathering on June 30 at the Heritage Hotel and Conference Center in Southbury.
Curated and produced by HOT Schools Director Christopher Eaves, this year’s gathering explored the theme EMBRACING INNOVATION and featured educator and author George Couros, whose keynote challenged participants to view innovation as a mindset rooted in creativity, curiosity, and the belief that every learner has unique strengths to contribute.
Couros, author of The Innovator’s Mindset, has worked with educators around the world to help schools build cultures where creativity, risk-taking, and learning can flourish. His message resonated strongly with the HOT Schools mission of developing higher order thinking through the arts, arts integration, and democratic practice.
The gathering also highlighted the voices of students and alumni. Guest speaker Donovan Shaw, a graduate of R. J. Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts in Hartford who now teaches theater at his alma mater, reflected on equity, the power of the arts in education, and the role of citizenship in building strong school communities. Kinsella has been a member of the HOT Schools cohort for more than a decade. The program also featured remarks from Lexington Agyei, who recently graduated from Jonathan Reed School in Waterbury after completing eighth grade, and Kenneyl Oquendo, a rising eighth-grader at Reed School. Together, they reflected on how HOT Schools has strengthened creativity, fostered community, and empowered student voice at Reed School.
In the afternoon, teachers, teaching artists, and students attended hands-on arts workshops designed to immerse them in the creative process. The workshops, led by master teaching artist L’Ana Burton and Emily Kent of Pilobolus, invited participants to explore innovation through creative movement. Throughout the afternoon, participants collaborated, experimented, and developed choreography inspired by the day’s theme.
The Summer Gathering concluded with an Informance, in which arts workshop participants shared their choreographic creations. More than a performance, the Informance made the creative process visible, demonstrating how collaboration, experimentation, and artistic risk-taking can deepen learning and spark innovation.
During the Summer Gathering, HOT Schools also honored master teaching artist L’Ana Burton with the 2026 HOT Schools Hero Award in recognition of three decades of service to the program and its schools.
Since joining HOT Schools in 1994, Burton has helped thousands of students and educators discover creativity, confidence, and self-expression through creative dance. Her work reflects HOT Schools’ commitment to Student Voice, participation, leadership, and community. As Burton often says, “Creative dance does not teach steps—it teaches concepts. It invites people to explore, experiment, and discover.”
“Through her artistry, integrity, and unwavering belief in the creative potential of every learner, L’Ana has helped shape the culture of HOT Schools for more than thirty years,” said Christopher Eaves. “She is one of the great treasures of our community.”
Founded in 1994 at the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Higher Order Thinking Schools is now a program of Arts for Learning Connecticut. Since its inception, HOT Schools has partnered with more than 60 public schools, providing arts integrated residencies, professional development, performances, arts workshops, and school-wide initiatives that strengthen teaching, learning, and school culture through the arts.