Tackling Textile Waste with Creativity

The theme of Earth Day 2026 is “Our Power. Our Planet.” According to earthday.org, this theme is “not a political statement, but a commitment to stewardship, resilience, and shared accountability — a call for every individual, community, and sector to use their power in service of the planet we all depend on.”For Krissy Ponden, a teacher at The Unquowa School in Fairfield, Connecticut, that sector is middle school students — and that power is art. Last summer, with a $5,000 Fund for Teachers grant, Krissy, participated in the Kokrobitey Institute’s Textile Waste Driven Design Workshop in Accra, Ghana. There, she explored how fast fashion waste impacts the environment — and how art and design can transform discarded textiles into meaningful, sustainable creations. She’s since brought those insights back to her classroom, crafting lessons that inspire students to see both art and environmental responsibility in new ways. And, as with all of our fellows, that journey was just the beginning.Following are links mentioned in the podcast:Krissy's post-fellowship reportingArtist Bubu OgisiOgisi's global brand IAMISIGOConnecticut artist Carlos Bautista BiernnayKrissy's class Instagram - @theartpondLearn more about Fund for Teachers on our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages and apply for YOUR self-designed fellowship at fundforteachers.org.Music on podcast: Scott Harris: Clear Progress