DEF grant recipient uses art to strengthen learning in special education
Youngsun Choi is a 2025 recipient of the Dallas Education Foundation Heart of Teaching Grant. Through the Advancing Equity through Innovation in Special Education grant program, the foundation recognizes outstanding educators, such as Choi, who is using art and inclusive activities to support student growth and strengthen her school community.
Choi is the Functional Living Instructor at Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Middle School, where she has been a special education teacher for the last 10 years.
“I love this population of students,” Choi said. “My goal is to continue building an inclusive campus culture and school community and to help students feel valued.”
Before entering education, Choi studied fashion design in South Korea and later earned a bachelor’s degree in merchandising from the University of North Texas. Her plan to teach was inspired by motherhood. When her son began school, she realized a career in education would allow her to better support his academic journey.
Today, Choi’s passions have come full circle. She now channels her artistic background through the engaging, hands-on learning projects that support students with learning and health disabilities as they navigate academics and prepare for life after graduation.
Through her grant project, students use T-shirts, fabric dye, cups, and other materials to explore color theory and develop fine motor skills. The sensory art-based project encourages active learning as students engage different textures and processes. As they measure and mix dyes with water and study geometric patterns, students are reinforcing math and science concepts.
“Beyond their academic goal, students have transition goals,” Choi said. “I think about their future after graduation. This project helps build their functionality and confidence while preparing them to believe that they could pursue a career in an art or creative field.”
Creativity is an outlet for students to build self-trust, strengthen nonverbal communication, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional wellbeing. Through creative expression students often uncover and develop new talents, abilities that Choi believes can grow into future career paths.
With support from the Dallas Education Foundation, Choi’s work is helping students develop a sense of accomplishment and personal value. The project has already shown success, and Choi is now collaborating with the school’s art teacher to expand the opportunity beyond her Functional Living class to the entire campus.
Students will showcase their tie-dye creations during the school’s field day this spring.
The Foundation, in collaboration with The Reese-Jones Foundation, awarded more than $65,000 in Heart of Teaching grants to 17 educators with innovative projects aimed at uplifting and empowering students with special needs.
“The biggest outcome of the project is increased confidence in the students,” Choi said. “There is no limit when it comes to art. Students can imagine creative possibilities for their careers, like an online store. Things will be changing as AI continues to evolve, but natural human creativity is something that is still needed.”
