About Us
An idea built in community, by community, with community
Meet our Director
Jay Breslow is an educator, father, and community builder, with over 20 years of experience in the field of education. For the past seven years, Jay has served as the Principal of Twin Rivers Charter School, an interdisciplinary, project-based outdoor school located in Eugene, Oregon.
With a passion for fostering creativity and a commitment to creating more just schools, Jay's academic pursuits derived from his experiences working with students, families and teachers to inspire innovative thinking and promote a dynamic learning environment within the school community.
Jay's journey in education spans over two decades, at various levels and roles both inside of systems and outside of them. From running a community school in a Portland, Oregon elementary school, to providing school improvement policy and consulting in schools across the country, to teaching university level classes at both the community college and university levels, his diverse experiences have enriched his understanding of the educational landscape, and given him a nuanced understanding of the many pressures faced by students, families, and teachers.
One of Jay's core passions is community-building within the classroom setting. Recognizing the importance of a supportive and inclusive environment, he has been instrumental in creating spaces where students can collaborate, express themselves freely, and develop a sense of belonging. Through his efforts, Jay has cultivated a culture of respect, empathy, and teamwork, leading with love, and a commitment to recognize and center humanity in what are often inhumane systems.
Beyond his professional work, Jay's favorite thing is to be with his family. Married to Claire, he cherishes their life together and values the support and love they share. As a dedicated father, Jay takes immense pride in his two children, Izzy (age 5) and Jet (age 3). Their presence serves as a constant reminder of the significance of education in shaping young minds and nurturing their potential.
When he is not working with students and teachers you will find Jay in a boat somewhere running whitewater, or working on woodworking projects around the house.
Whether it's guiding aspiring educators, championing creative expression, or instilling a sense of community in the hearts of his students, Jay Breslow remains committed to making a positive difference in the world of education.
About 3C
3-C is (or will be soon) a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization that is working to bring more creative teaching and learning to schools by uncovering, inviting and activating the unique ways of being and knowing that exist inside of all people and within all communities.
Schools want and need families and community members to get involved. Often times that engagement happens based on the already established needs of the school. Chaperone a field trip. Come read with kids in the library, etc. Rarely are they asked to bring their full and best selves into the classroom itself to have a direct impact on what is learned or how it is taught. Rather, curriculum is designed and developed far away and then adopted by school systems, often only to be discarded in favor of the next evidence-based practice. Teachers are tasked with implementing these directives with fidelity often with the result that creativity, improvisation, and community engagement disappear.
3C works to disrupt this and it starts from a simple assumption: Everyone has something to offer and if you ask in the right way, at the right time, for the right thing, they will always say yes.
If every person has something to offer and they will say yes if you ask correctly, the logic follows that if schools want to create authentic opportunities for family engagement they need to figure what to ask and how to ask it in order do get people to bring their best selves.
Participating in 3-C means creating space for the cultural, personal, and professional ways of being and knowing that exist inside every person and activating them in service of creative teaching and learning. We work with you to build community towards facilitated Creativity Labs designed to generate ideas for creative teaching and learning that combine community knowledge with classroom content.
Want to know more? Send us a message and we will schedule a meeting soon!
Activate your approach to
Family and Community Engagement
Your School will never be the same once you do
© 2023 Community Creativity Collective- All Rights Reserved,
jay@create3c.org