The artwork you saw in every ’80s and ’90s classroom came from 2 badass elementary teachers
In the often overlooked corners of educational history, Patty Carson and Janet Dellosa stand as pioneers who transformed classroom environments across America. These two elementary school teachers from Ohio brought joy and engagement into learning through their vibrant, whimsical illustrations that adorned classrooms in the '80s and '90s. Their journey began with an innovative approach to education that they had developed in their own classrooms—using games to make lessons more engaging. Facing initial rejection from publishers, Carson and Dellosa took the courageous step of starting their own publishing company in a basement, a move that would lead to the creation of a multi-million dollar enterprise and a lasting legacy in educational art.
Carson and Dellosa's story is not just about artistic success but also about the tenacity and vision required to change the educational landscape. By betting on what they knew worked in their classrooms, they not only built a business but also a community of educators who shared their commitment to making learning joyful. Their work remains a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of believing in one's own observations and ideas. Today, their legacy continues as their illustrations evoke nostalgia and remind us of the creativity and dedication that can define effective teaching.
Constructive analysis
The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.
- The problem
- The challenge of making educational content engaging for young students.
- The actions
- Carson and Dellosa created gamified lesson plans and visual materials that made learning more interactive and fun.
- Evidence of progress
- Their self-published book was picked up by Macmillan, leading to a major expansion, and by the '90s, their company was making millions.
- What we can learn
- Educators and entrepreneurs can learn the importance of trusting one's own insights and the potential impact of combining creativity with perseverance.
PERMA wellbeing profile of this story
Seligman's five pillars of wellbeing, as expressed in this story.
- Positive Emotion
- 9
- Engagement
- 8
- Relationships
- 7
- Meaning
- 8
- Accomplishment
- 10
Character strengths in play
Top VIA strengths this story embodies.
Courage
Rather than give up on their vision, the women opened their own publishing company, aptly named Carson Dellosa, in their basement.
Perseverance
When nobody wanted to publish their idea, Carson and Dellosa could have let the project end there. Instead, they bet on what they had seen firsthand in their own classrooms.
Creativity
Carson and Dellosa both found that their students were far more engaged when games were incorporated into their lessons.
Try this today
Reflect on a time when you faced rejection or an obstacle. Consider what creative solutions you might employ to overcome it, inspired by Carson and Dellosa's approach to starting their own company. Write down one step you could take today to push past that challenge.