Ep. 411 - The March Mailbag: Collaboration, Creativity, and Classroom Energy

In today's episode from the archives, both Janet Taylor and Amanda Heyn are joining Tim to discuss, debate, and debunk some various art teacher myths. From art teachers who just paint all day to exploding ceramics to dressing in rainbow colors, there is so much to talk about! Listen as they discuss where art teacher myths come from, the worst advice they've ever received, and the best suggestions they have that all art teachers should know.   Resources and Links Setting Boundaries with Confidence Advice NOT to Follow Your First Year of Teaching Wear Your Color Wheel and Get Your Mornings Back! 5 Reasons for and Against Putting On an Art Show

In the sixth episode of Ask the Experts miniseries, former Art Ed Radio host Andrew McCormick returns to the podcast and joins Tim for a discussion on sculpture in the art room. Answering questions from podcast listeners and the art teacher community, they discuss inexpensive and unique sculpture materials, the importance of process, their most creative projects, and so much more.  AOEU Resources on Drawing PRO Learning Beginning Sculpture Exploring Sculpture with Elementary Students Exploring Architecture Through Paper Sculpture FLEX Curriculum 2D to 3D Integrating Sculpture Sculpting with Cardboard AOEU Graduate Courses Studio: Sculpture AOEU Magazine & Podcasts Ep. 185: Simple Sculpture Ideas Ep. 075: Sculpture Ideas for Every Level Ep. 191: New Ideas for Fibers, Sculpture, and Metals Inexpensive Sculpture Ideas to Start the Year NOW Conference Simple and Creative Paper Sculptures Mixed Media Mash-Up Sculptures

In the fifth episode of Ask the Experts miniseries, Jenn Russell joins Tim for a discussion on drawing in the art room. Answering questions from podcast listeners and the art teacher community, they discuss their favorite drawing materials to teach, whether we can manage the mess of pastels, how to scaffold your instruction and curriculum, and so much more.  AOEU Resources on Drawing PRO Learning Observational Drawing Rethinking Your Drawing Curriculum Drawing Using Charcoal The Building Blocks of Drawing FLEX Curriculum Drawing Connections (One Day Lessons) Experimenting with Portraiture AOEU Graduate Courses Studio: Drawing AOEU Magazine & Podcasts Ep. 188: Inside the Studio with CJ Hendry Ep. 257: How Exactly Do You Teach Drawing? Ep. 187: Exploration and Experimentation in Drawing Exploring the Magic of Blind Contour Drawing NOW Conference Tips to Create Spectacular Colored Pencil Drawings A New Way to Look at Portrait Drawing

In the fourth episode of Ask the Experts miniseries, Candido Crespo joins Tim to talk about teaching printmaking in the art room. Answering questions from podcast listeners and the art teacher community, they discuss printmaking centers, ideas for printing with very little budget, how to create a reduction print, and so much more.  AOEU Resources on Printmaking PRO Learning Elementary Printmaking with Simple Materials Classroom Lithography Monoprinting for Every Level Getting Started with Screen Printing FLEX Curriculum Relief Printmaking Collection Experimenting with Monoprinting Collection AOEU Graduate Courses Studio: Printmaking AOEU Magazine & Podcasts 8 Inspiring Printmaking Lessons for Your Classroom this Year How to Open a Printmaking Center in 5 Easy Steps 10 Everyday Items to Help Manage the Mess of Printmaking The Best Way to Scaffold Your Printmaking Instruction NOW Conference Printmaking Ideas for Your Youngest Students Printmaking Tips and Tricks for Elementary Experimenting with Collagraphs Ideas for Monoprinting

In the third episode of Ask the Experts miniseries, Lena Rodriguez joins Tim to talk about a variety of topics when it comes to teaching painting in the art room. Answering questions from podcast listeners and the art teacher community, they discuss watercolor, tempera, acrylics, oils, and even encaustics, plus dive into how we teach technical skill, a dream classroom setup, and so much more.  AOEU Resources on Ceramics PRO Learning Getting Started with Encaustics Acrylic Painting Basics Watercolor Painting Basics Tempera Painting Basics FLEX Curriculum Watercolor and Everyday Life Collection Acrylic Still Life Collection AOEU Graduate Courses Studio: Painting--Watercolor Studio: Painting--Tempera and Acrylic AOEU Magazine & Podcasts Ep. 117: Does Anyone Actually Enjoy Watercolor? 6 Ways to Take Your Students Beyond Watercolor Techniques Stretching a Canvas with Ease 13 Palettes for the Art Room or Professional Use NOW Conference Acrylic Lessons to Build Student Confidence Watercolor: Moving Beyond the Basics Encaustics Made Easy

In the second episode of Ask the Experts miniseries, Laura Irmis joins Tim to talk about all things related to teaching ceramics in the art room. Answering questions from podcast listeners and the art teacher community, they discuss kiln firing, instructional strategies, organization tips, handling materials, and so much more. Full episode transcript below. AOEU Resources on Ceramics PRO Learning Getting Started with Glazing Innovative Ceramics Methods Hand-Built Ceramics Critical Kiln Safety FLEX Curriculum Coil Pottery Collection Slab Pottery Collection AOEU Graduate Courses Studio: Ceramics AOEU Magazine & Podcasts Ep. 181: Innovative Ceramic Ideas Learning to Love Ceramics: Part 1 and Part 2 Budget-Friendly Ideas to Organize Your Ceramic Space Ceramic Hacks to Level Up Your Game NOW Conference Ceramic Tips, Tricks, and Ideas Kiln FAQs Beginning Ceramics Lessons for Secondary Students Boost Your Ceramic Confidence 

In the first episode of Ask the Experts miniseries, Kristina Brown joins Tim to talk about all things related to teaching photography in the art room. Answering questions from podcast listeners and the art teacher community, they discuss alternative processes, the value of a darkroom, how to get started with teaching photography, and so much more.  AOEU Resources on Photography PRO Learning Digital Photography Basics Creative Approaches to Beginning Photography FLEX Curriculum Digital Photography Collection 24 Photography Lessons AOEU Graduate Courses Studio: Photography AOEU Magazine It's Time to Accept that Your Darkroom is Dead Why We Should Keep Darkroom Photography Alive A Love Letter to Pinhole Photography How to Get Your Students Thinking Deeply with Photography NOW Conference Ideas for Digital Organization Alternative Photographic Processes How to Create Chemigrams Differentiation in Digital Photography

Moving into March, it is time for another mailbag episode! Amanda and Tim begin with a long discussion about Amanda's new tattoo and the upcoming March Madness basketball tournament (if you want to miss the body art and hoops talk, and just get to the art teaching, skip to 16:00) They then dive into a bit of advice on collaborating with other teachers, and move on to everyday creativity, dealing with student apathy, and answering the question "is this good enough?". If you have a question for a future mailbag episode, email [email protected] or leave a voice recording at 515-209-2595. Resources and Links Effectively Collaborating with Classroom Teachers Words of Wisdom from a Traveling Art Teacher How to Rethink Creativity Find How to Get Started Teaching Art on a Cart in PRO Learning

Kyle Wood is back on the podcast today, just ahead of his first articles being published on the AOEU Magazine next month! He joins Tim to talk about what he will be writing, and of course they can't pass up an opportunity to tell some of their favorite stories and share some of their favorite facts about art history. Listen as they discuss upside-down paintings, famous forgeries, getting students excited about art, and--of course--Kyle's Arts Madness tournament for 2024. Resources and Links Six Seedy Parts of the Art World Art Educators Love to Teach Learn About Kyle's Arts Madness Tournament, see the brackets, and predict the winner The Mondrian that hung upside down for 75 years Keep an eye on the AOEU Magazine for Kyle's upcoming articles!

Every year, AOEU surveys art teachers from across the country and around the world to capture the current issues, trends, and topics in art education. After data is collected from thousands of art teachers, the annual State of Art Education survey is published in the AOEU Magazine. The 2024 report was published on Friday, and Amanda Heyn and Lindsey McGinnis are on the podcast to discuss the results! Listen as they talk about the most interesting insights from the survey, their own top takeaways, and how teachers everywhere can use the survey to advocate for their art rooms and their programs. Resources and Links The State of Art Education 2024 6 Steps to Communicate with Stakeholders and Benefit Your Program Crafting your elevator pitch