In this episode of Brighter Together, we explore how students are learning the most essential life skills—without a textbook in sight. Aesthetic education and social-emotional learning come to life at Kalamazoo Country Day School, where students don’t just see art, they meet it.

Emma Bennett, the school’s aesthetic educator and SEL coordinator, shares how her classroom doesn’t look like a traditional one—and that’s exactly the point. Kids play jazz before they ever watch it performed. They turn their bodies into instruments, act out concepts, and build emotional intelligence with every ensemble rehearsal.

This conversation dives into what it takes to lead students through courage, creativity, and cooperation—especially when funding, time, and buy-in are scarce. Emma’s insights remind us that the most unforgettable lessons don’t show up on a test, but they do show up in life.

A must-listen for any educator who knows there’s more to learning than scores and standards.