All teachers are leaders, and each person can define what leadership looks like to them. Teachers must take a leadership stance to grow professionally. Leadership does not have to mean late-night meetings or hours on a tedious committee. This article provides a list that will help teachers brainstorm ways to take themselves to the next level in…

Breaks are the best part of working. At some point everyone does look forward to his or her lunch break. For teachers, however, it seems there is never truly a break, for whenever they have extra time, they must use it wisely to prepare for their teaching. Unfortunately, many teachers don't manage their time efficiently during a prep or planning…

When the author embarked on a journey to start a blog, she had no idea it would save her teaching career. After several years of teaching, she was already burned out. She was caving to the negativity that can often surround education and was just plain tired. She wasn't excited about teaching like she should be. She needed something more. She…

Often overshadowed in people's minds by Paris, London is truly an artist's jewel. The art and architecture, history, gardens and museums are inspiring, yes, but there's so much more to this ancient city. The performances, attractions and markets are a boon to the creative soul. London can be surprisingly inexpensive to visit. Gazing at statues,…

A goal of art learning is always independence, for everyone to become their own art teacher. Teaching for artistic independence can never start too early. As art teachers, children acquire confidence in their art, and in coming to school as artists. Children should be considered artists in residence and visiting artists in schools. It makes sense…

Educators may start off a school year with the best of intentions for staying organized, but by about November, they quickly find their systems, energy and motivation starts to dwindle. By March, they can't even see their desk, and have hundreds of e-mails in their inboxes. Incorporating a few organizational strategies at the beginning of the…

The relationship between art teachers and students' families is a complex one. Because they typically see a large volume of students in a short amount of time, art teachers are rarely the first line of communication when it comes to connecting with families on a regular basis. Most often, communication only occurs when the teacher has great news…

Art educators, by nature, are very creative people. Their right brains just can't help themselves when it comes to generating new and innovative ideas for the art room. With budget cuts and hard times for schools becoming the norm, art educators must also become creative when it comes to finding money in their budget. This article presents five…

Teachers can function more effectively in the lives of their students when they are aware of the divergent work habits students as individuals and professional artists encounter, share, and utilize. A study of the lives of artists often tells things they have said or written--or what has been written about them in regard to the way they create and…

The author is always on the lookout for new ideas, and found one with her state's new "grade-level expectations" in art. She had printed the expectations from the state department and bound them in book form for herself and other art teachers in her district. When the author was flipping through the booklet thinking, two things caught her eye:…

An inspiring article in a craft magazine spurred the author to attempt a dimensional collage project with high-schoolers. The magazine piece concerned the embellishing of a vintage handbag. Artists have been altering objects for countless years; art teachers can find many fine examples with which to motivate their students. One example is to use a…

Presents an interview with Jude Odell, a clay artist and art teacher, in which she discusses her educational background, her experience with teaching, and her career as a ceramic artist. Includes a lesson for creating a figurative goblet. (CMK)

Presents an interview with artist Patricia Uchill Simons, focusing on her history as a clay artist, why she uses clay, when she started making her menagerie of animals, her process for creating her artwork, her teaching experience, and why she believes clay is a good medium for students. (CMK)

Presents an interview with Rebecca Zimmerman, an artist who works with polymer clay. Focuses on topics, such as her interest in art during her life, her use of polymer clay as a medium, and using this medium with students. Includes directions for a project where students make flowers from polymer clay. (CMK)

Presents an interview with Jean Nunez Donegan focusing on: her career as an artist; her experiences with teaching art at the secondary and college levels; her process for creating art; and her development as an artist. Includes directions for creating a branch with leaves and bamboo using clay. (CMK)