CHESTERTOWN — ArtScene | The Podcast welcomes Queen Anne’s County Public Schools 2026 Teacher of the Year Alice Tickler for one of the podcast’s most emotional and inspiring episodes to date — a conversation about literacy, loss, humanity, and the transformative power of teaching children to believe in themselves.
Filmed live for the first time on location inside Michael Bell’s new Cannon Street Art Studio in Chestertown and joined by QACTV, the episode explores the deeply personal experiences that shaped Tickler into one of Maryland’s leading literacy advocates and instructional leaders.
This special episode is available June 1st as a video podcast on Spotify and later on QAC-TV’s YouTube Channel.
A National Board Certified Teacher with more than 25 years of experience, Tickler serves as a literacy-focused first grade educator, LETRS facilitator, state-level presenter, and advocate for structured literacy aligned to the Science of Reading. Throughout her career, she has helped shape literacy practices not only within Queen Anne’s County Public Schools, but across Maryland through her work with Maryland READS, the State of Maryland Literacy Association, and the Maryland State Department of Education’s Teacher Advisory Council.
But beyond the accolades and professional accomplishments, this episode reveals the deeply human story behind Tickler’s work.
During the conversation, Tickler reflects on how teaching her own son Jake, who struggled with reading and executive functioning challenges as a child, transformed the way she approached literacy instruction and advocacy. What began as a mother’s search for answers evolved into a lifelong commitment to ensuring every child feels capable, seen, and supported.
The episode also explores the emotional connection between literacy and creativity — reframing reading instruction not simply as academic intervention, but as an artform rooted in storytelling, imagination, empathy, and human connection.
“Some of the greatest artists I’ve ever met are teachers,” said host Michael Bell, 2024–2025 NAEA National Supervisor of the Year and creator of ArtScene | The Podcast. “Teaching at its best is storytelling. It’s helping someone discover their voice. And Alice’s story reminds us that literacy isn’t just about reading words on a page — it’s about helping children rewrite the way they see themselves.”
Listeners will hear Tickler share powerful reflections on:
- Teaching multilingual learners through connection and creativity
- The emotional impact of grief and community after tragedy
- Why relationships matter at the intersection of literacy, confidence, and identity
- How educators can truly “see” children beyond academics
Throughout the episode, Bell and Tickler explore the idea that teaching literacy may be one of the first artforms children ever experience alongside visual and performing arts — one capable of opening doors not only academically, but emotionally and personally.
In Jake’s memory and honor, this episode is about inspiring all of us to do all the “Little” things. Because at its best, teaching is art.
Tickler is currently in the running for Maryland State Teacher of the Year. Supporters are encouraged to follow and share the episode on Spotify, at https://anchor.fm/artscene and across all major podcast platforms.
