Progressive School Hires Shop and Design Expert to Lead Innovation Studio
The Athenian School
Innovation is at the doorstep of The Athenian School — or perhaps more accurately, at the base of Mt. Diablo. Athenian is a school where virtually every part of its 75-acre campus near the San Francisco East Bay hills is a space for discovery and experimentation. But what makes Athenian truly unique is the role of the student in the learning process. Students don’t just own their learning, they live it — whether spending three months building musical instruments or spending three weeks camping in the wilderness.
The Carter Innovation Studio (CIS) is part of the newest learning commons on campus, having opened in fall 2018. This 5,200 square foot design lab features a shop area with metal and woodworking tools, an industrial arts area, a computer/CADD/3-D printer space, and three classrooms. Its central location at the heart of campus is no accident. The CIS is a hub of experiential learning activity for both middle and high school students. Athenian sought a director of the Carter Innovation Studio with a passion for design, engineering, fabrication, and a welcoming presence to other teachers.
Athenian is thrilled to welcome Cassie Kise to this post.
Meet the new leader
Cassie Kise is an artist, anthropologist, fabricator, and educator based in Oakland, California. Originally, from both Philadelphia and Carmel Valley, California, Kise received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with concentrations in Art & Technology, Sculpture, and Photography. She has was first introduced to iron at Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum in Solsberry, Indiana. Previously, Cassie worked full-time as the model shop & fabrication studio manager at California College of the Arts in San Francisco, where she managed CCA’s general access wood and metal shops. She also worked at The Crucible in Oakland as a faculty and program consultant for several years.
