Art & Ideas: Teaching with Themes

Francis Estrada serves as an Associate Educator for School and Teacher Programs at The Museum of Modern Art, bringing a unique perspective shaped by his Filipino heritage and American experience. Born in the Philippines and now based in Brooklyn since moving to America in 1988, he combines his roles as a visual artist, museum educator, and cultural advocate. His academic foundation includes a fine arts degree in painting and drawing from San Jose State University, which informs both his artistic practice and teaching methodology. At MoMA, he leads several educational initiatives including "Art & Activity: Interactive Strategies for Engaging with Art," "Art & Ideas: Teaching with Themes," and "Art & Inquiry: Museum Teaching Strategies For Your Classroom

Larissa Raphael serves as the Associate Educator of School and Teacher Programs at The Museum of Modern Art, where she manages the school visit program and oversees MoMA's vital school partnerships. Her academic background combines a Master of Science in Education in Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education with a Bachelor of Arts in Classics from New York University, providing a strong foundation for her work in art education. Before joining MoMA, she gained valuable experience working with school and family audiences at several prestigious institutions, including the Rubin Museum of Art, the Ukrainian Museum, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Beyond her role as an educator, Raphael is an accomplished fiber artist whose practice is deeply influenced by her Ukrainian heritage, incorporating traditional techniques and natural materials to create contemporary works. Her dual expertise in education and artistic practice enriches her approach to museum education, allowing her to bridge the gap between traditional crafts and contemporary art appreciation while making art accessible to diverse audiences.

Lisa Mazzola currently serves as the Director of Education at the Center for Architecture in New York City, bringing over 25 years of experience in art education to her role. Prior to this position, she made significant contributions as the Director of Young Learners at The Museum of Modern Art, where she managed programs serving K-12 schools, teens, and teachers. During her 13-year tenure at MoMA, she developed innovative programming including online courses on Coursera that connected K-12 and lifelong learners to contemporary art and ideas. Her career also includes coordinating gallery education at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, and managing school partnerships at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. She holds a BA in Art History from SUNY Oswego and an MA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Urban Education from the CUNY Graduate Center. Mazzola is particularly passionate about using arts as a tool for learning, engagement, and connection, and has authored work on adapting tour planning for social-emotional learning. In her current role, she manages education programs that use architecture and design to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity across core subject areas.