Dr. Betsy Scotto-Lavino
I work currently as an education policy consultant and staff aide for a school board member of the fourth largest school system in Virginia. I have a Ph.D. in International Education and am a certified qualitative methodologist. My passion is connecting theory to practice. Developing education policy provides an opportunity to integrate reliable research into curriculum and operations.
I worked for fifteen years as an English Learner teacher in elementary and adult education settings. During my adult education experience, I supported a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution that opened my eyes to the effectiveness of intentional, comprehensive arts integration with language acquisition instruction to improve learning and student identity development. These experiences motivated me to earn a doctorate mid-career. My dissertation research focused on researcher reflexivity practices and included arts-based researchers. The research reinforced and expanded my understanding of reflexive practices and (what I would now term) sensory literacy as a tool for learning and discovery. My goal is to continue developing expertise in sensory literacy and cognition and to apply that expertise to education policy to promote learning and flourishing.
Interests
The topic areas that I am currently focused on are: Sensory Literacy, arts-integrated instruction, arts pedagogy, arts education policy development, creativity and cognition, creativity and identity development.
I create and produce a local, community engagement podcast. I am the vice-president of the Loudoun Arts Council and serve on the board of the Franklin Park Arts Center. I am also active in local politics protecting creative expression, honoring cultural identity, and expanding access to traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities. I enjoy writing poetry, collage-making, being in nature, and family time.
I am looking for opportunities to write, continue my research, teach, and contribute to education policy-making.