A+ Fellows are leaders in the arts and education, and each year they facilitate high-quality professional development for A+ schools and partner organizations. Meet Gideon Young, one of our most enthusiastic A+ Fellows! Gideon finds joy in everything he does, and he shares that joy with educators, students, colleagues, and friends every day. His connection to the arts and education is deep, and he has had an impact on our state’s creative landscape on many levels—as a teaching artist, poet, creative writer, editor, published author, K–12 literacy specialist, and former elementary school teacher.
Gideon’s skills shine when he works with new A+ schools during our five-day summer institutes. The excitement he brings to his facilitation is evident to novice A+ educators who are just learning what it means to incorporate the arts in their own practice. Gideon not only shares his love of poetry and writing with teachers, but also explores all aspects of creative learning to inspire their work. “I experience a lot of joy when I am among teachers who are having fun and experiencing something new,” he says. “I love shattering participants’ expectations with games, songs, artmaking, and movement as we delve into the arts, curriculum, and school climate.”
Gideon incorporates visual arts and dance in his poetry workshops, and plays the flute to inspire and relax participants at the end of a long day of learning. He embraces the reflective process of A+ Schools, saying, “I think some of the most important things that happen during our institutes are the opportunities for educators to engage in self-reflection: examining how they learn, what motivates them, and how they can bring their best mindset to the work.”
An A+ Fellow since 2017, Gideon believes that being part of the A+ network has had a direct impact on his work and professional growth. He says, “To be an A+ Fellow is to be surrounded by passionate artists and educators. As an educator, as an artist, I am constantly encouraged and supported by other Fellows, and I mirror those energies, in turn.” Gideon recognizes that arts in education is continually changing. He says, “There is nothing passive about what we do. As we navigate changes and challenges to education, we collaboratively adapt our pedagogy to meet schools’ needs, while honing and celebrating our artistic selves. This is hard to do. However, as A+ Fellows, when we are together, we are with friends, mentors, and colleagues emanating light for ourselves and others. It feels good!”
As a member of the Carolina African American Writers’ Collective, the Carrboro Poets Council, and the Orange County Arts Commission advisory board, Gideon is actively involved in his arts community and widely respected for his craft. His published poetry has earned nominations for the Pushcart Prize, the Roanoke-Chowan Award, and the Haiku Foundation Touchstone Awards. The North Carolina Poetry Society recognized the quality of his work when it appointed him to be the 2024–2026 Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet for the Eastern Region.
A+ Schools of North Carolina is delighted to have Gideon as a valued member of the A+ Fellows cohort!