Dr. Eric Jensen, "Arts Build a Better Brain!"
- Jeremy Earnhart
- Oct 16
- 2 min read
Video from an Irving ISD interview during a district-wide staff development
Who is Dr. Eric Jensen—And why educators listen
Dr. Eric Jensen is a former classroom teacher turned researcher, author, and trainer best known for translating brain science into practical strategies teachers can use the very next day. He has written widely adopted books such as Teaching with the Brain in Mind, Teaching with Poverty in Mind, and Arts with the Brain in Mind, and he leads educator trainings across the U.S. and internationally through Jensen Learning. Jensen Learning+3ASCD+3ASCD+3
Credentials at a glance
Academic background: M.A. in Organizational Development; Ph.D. in Human Development. ASCD+1
Author of 30+ education titles on brain-based teaching, poverty and learning, engagement, and classroom practice. EdSurge
Co-founder of SuperCamp/Quantum Learning, a large brain-compatible academic enrichment program with tens of thousands of alumni worldwide. Amazon+1
Founder of Jensen Learning, providing workshops and institutes that connect neuroscience to day-to-day teaching. Jensen Learning+1
Why his work matters to arts and music education
Evidence-informed advocacy for the arts: In Arts with the Brain in Mind, Jensen builds the research case for making the arts—musical, visual, and kinesthetic—a core part of the curriculum, detailing how arts learning strengthens memory, attention, and higher-order thinking. ERIC
Actionable classroom strategies: His books and trainings are known for turning complex brain research into easy-to-apply practices (e.g., priming, emotional states for learning, movement, and retrieval routines) that directly support ensemble rehearsals and performance-based classes. ERIC+1
Equity focus: In Teaching with Poverty in Mind and Teaching with Poverty and Equity in Mind, Jensen addresses the effects of chronic stress and poverty on learning and offers concrete, school-tested responses—vital for inclusive arts programs serving diverse communities. ASCD+1
Bottom line
If you care about improving student engagement, accelerating learning, and advocating for arts and music as essential—not optional—Dr. Eric Jensen’s work provides both the research foundation and the day-to-day playbook for teachers and leaders. His blend of scholarship, authorship, and hands-on training has made him a trusted voice in schools that want results students can feel and audiences can hear.
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