The July Mailbag: Clay Scraps, Pacing Curriculum, and The Perfect Teacher Day

Tim and Amanda return with the July Mailbag to answer your most pressing art ed questions! They explore creative ways to use leftover clay, how to plan project timelines, and whether AI belongs as part of your curriculum. Plus, they dive into strategies for recharging your creative energy over the summer—and wrap up with a fun look at the perfect day in the life of an art teacher. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Clay 101 Cassie Stephens' episode on the first days of school See the Art of Ed's FLEX Curriculum 5 Ways to Make Art on the First Day of School Dr. Dalton-Smith and the 7 Types of Rest

In today's episode, artist and educator Juana Meneses joins Tim to explore the art of bookmaking with found objects. Juana shares how she uses unconventional materials and found objects as powerful tools for storytelling and identity-building. Through her teaching and personal practice, she encourages students to engage deeply with their materials, embracing intuition, memory, and meaning in their creative work. The discussion also touches on AOEU's new Studio: Book Arts graduate course and Juana's upcoming Art Ed NOW presentation, two incredible opportunities to dive deeper into bookmaking! Resources and Links Take a look at the Studio: Book Arts graduate course Learn more about Juana and see her website You can also find her on Instagram Find out more about the Art Ed NOW Conference! Portable Editions artists' books

In this episode, Tim sits down with Sarah Colvin, an educator from Michigan who is transitioning from teaching special education to the art room after completing her Master’s Degree from The Art of Education University. Sarah shares her journey of discovering her passion for art education, her decision to pursue the degree, and how the program has prepared her for her new role. She also discusses the excitement and challenges of teaching nearly 500 students, her commitment to student choice and building strong relationships, and how her current skills will translate into the art room. Resources and Links Learn more about the AOEU Master's Degree Check out the Choice-Based Art course Also take a look at the Designing Your Art Curriculum course Dealing with Professional Change Sonya Castro's story of Moving Into the Art Room

In today's episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim welcomes Janet Taylor back to the show for a deep and honest conversation on one of the most complex aspects of teaching: grading and assessment. Together, they reflect on how grading practices have evolved in recent years, how student motivation has shifted, and what it means to uphold integrity in your classroom while still showing compassion. Janet shares insights from her ongoing capstone research, candid thoughts on grade equity, and a discussion on "no zero" policies. If you've ever questioned the why behind your assessment approach, or struggled to find the balance with your grading, this episode will be worth your time. Resources and Links Check out the Art of Education University Master's Degree Listen to previous episodes with Janet The Case Against Zeros Why Grades Shouldn't Exist by Alfie Kohn What Do New Teachers Need to Know About Assessment?

In the June Mailbag episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim and Amanda start with an end-of-year discussion, complete with field day stories and a trip to Tim's backyard wildlife sanctuary. They then dive into voicemails and emails on everything from managing unsolicited classroom "donations" to resisting AI tools, as well as teaching students to think critically and creatively. The episode also includes tips on summer art prompts, clever marker organization, and ways to reflect on the year in ways that help us moving forward. And the best part? There are so many listener questions, there is a Part 2 of the Mailbag! Head on over to the Art of Ed Community (link below) in order to watch or listen! Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Watch or Listen to Part 2 of the Mailbag! Learn more about the Art Ed NOW Conference Summer Supply List and Art Challenge Making the Most of Break with an Art Challenge 100 Silly Drawing Prompts to Engage Your Students

In today's episode, Tim sits down with Oscar Keyes and Erika Ogier to explore how educators can effectively bring digital art and creative technology into their classrooms. Erika, an elementary art teacher, and Oscar, a multimedia librarian and art education faculty member, share their collaborative journey in developing a curated list of tech tools tailored to the realities of K–12 education—tools that are free, user-friendly, web-based, and login-optional. They discuss the myth of the “digital native,” emphasize the importance of foundational tech skills, and highlight how digital art can foster creativity and digital literacy across age levels. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community See Erika's website and find more information Check out the Piskel app Explore Kleki

Today, Tim is joined by  Jen Leban for a discussion centered around technology, focus, and the changing dynamics of student engagement. Tim begins with some reflections on learning, creativity, and multitasking, and Jen dives into the impact of the attention economy on how students receive, process, and learn information. The conversation continues and covers the concept of continuous partial attention, the use of AI, and how the arts can help us continue to learn in creative ways. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Continuous Partial Attention Listen to the Your Undivided Attention podcast The Disengaged Teen  

When Tim and Amanda put out the call for mailbag questions last week, an overwhelming majority were about simple lessons or one-day lessons to help get through the end of the year.  So in this episode from the archives, Tim shares some ideas for simple one-day lessons that can fill the inevitable gaps when needed. Listen as he talks about how quick lessons can engage students, how you can make those lessons worthwhile, and why it's okay to step back and take a breath every once in a while.  Resources and Links 7 Lessons For When You're In A Pinch Read more about art challenges Jennifer Sell's post on water droplets Check out the Creating Art Outside PRO Pack

In the May Mailbag episode, Tim and Amanda answer a wide range of listener questions, from wrapping up the school year to prepping for next year, handling difficult coworkers, and even navigating retirement. Amanda shares exciting updates about The Art of Ed Community, including Teacher Appreciation giveaways and a special Art Club Live event on May 8th. The duo also chats about Impact Week, their personal gardening adventures, and tips for end-of-year activities, from messy projects and outdoor art to room clean-up strategies. The episode wraps with a fun speed round of listener questions, offering quick ideas and helpful resources for art shows, paint distribution, clay projects without a kiln, and more. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Ask The Experts: Painting and 13 Palette Ideas 40 End of Year Cleanup Jobs for Students Art Show Secrets The Perfect One-Day Lesson Air Dry Clay Ideas and Podcasts

Kyle Wood returns to the show today to talk with Tim about some of their favorite lesser-known artists in art history, and share ideas on why we need to move beyond the traditional art historical canon. Ranging from Abstract Expressionism to Surrealism, Impressionism to Cubism, they pass right by the Picassos and Pollocks and talk about Janet Sobel, Remedios Varo, Charuvi Agrawal, and so many more artists that can expand your students' views on art history. They finish the show by discussing how a more representative set of artists in your curriculum can lead to understanding, engagement, and empowerment for your students. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Listen to Who Arted? and Fun Facts Daily from Kyle Art Ed Radio Ep. 009: No More Dead White Guys! 6 Contemporary Artists Storytelling, Art History, and Student Engagement