Art Ed Radio

Welcome to the June mailbag episode of Art Ed Radio! Host Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn, AOE's Director of Community Engagement, to dive into listener questions that are hitting close to home for art teachers heading into summer. From navigating classrooms with wildly different skill levels to making the case to administration that your booming ceramics program needs more support, it's a fun and interesting conversation. They also tackle the difference between burnout and creative stagnation, why that distinction matters, as well as suggestions for working with talented students who just don't care. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! 4 Ways to Differentiate in the Art Classroom 8 Things to Do When Teaching Is Taking a Toll on You Learn more about (and register for!) the Art Ed NOW Conference Advocating for Art Education (Ep. 443)

In today's episode, Tim is joined by elementary art teacher Laura Irmis to discuss if and how we can find the time to do everything that is expected of us as art teachers. Laura shares how she is making it work as a teacher, artist, mother, and graduate student. She also tells the story of how she got into clay, how her practice has evolved, and why her excitement can't help but to spill over into the classroom. Tim and Laura also dig into the real challenge of maintaining a creative practice when life is full. Laura opens up about what it takes to juggle family, teaching, her ceramics work, and her graduate studies at the Art of Education University--and she's refreshingly honest about the sacrifices required. Her advice is simple and actionable, and you will want to give it a listen! Resources and Links Listen to the Everyday Art Room episode on Creating Time for Yourself 12 Ways to Balance Teaching Art and Creating Art Take a look at the Studio: Painting-Watercolor course See all of AOEU's Graduate Cou

In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim Bogatz sits down with Melissa Birnbaum, a New York City art teacher and chair of the NYC chapter of the New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA). Melissa teaches at an international high school in the Bronx where 100% of her students are American newcomers and native Spanish speakers--many of whom have never had an art lesson in their lives. She shares how she designs her choice-based art room to meet students exactly where they are, using sketchbook journals, materials play, and a scaffolded approach that builds foundational skills while honoring each student's creative instincts and lived experience.   Tim and Melissa also dig deep into one of the most meaningful topics in art education: resilience. Melissa explains what resilience actually looks like in her classroom, and what she learns from her students. She talks about the power of "confidence coaching," normalizing failure, and why loving your students is the most effective classroom management strategy th

In this episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz sits down with Tiffany Fox — veteran art educator, curriculum creator, and author — for an honest conversation about what it really means to be an art teacher today. She and Tim dig into what makes the art room unique, and why teaching is a real emotional weight that most people outside of education will never fully understand.   They also dive into teacher burnout: where it comes from, why it's getting worse, and what teachers can actually do about it. Tiffany shares practical, realistic strategies for protecting your time, your health, and your sense of purpose, along with reflections from her new book, Rooted and Refreshed: A 90-Day Devotional for Teachers. Resources and Links Rooted and Refreshed: A 90-Day Devotional for Teachers Find Tiffany on Instagram and TPT Self-Care for the Art Teacher 10 Supportive Ways an Art Teacher Can Cope with Burnout

It's the first Tuesday of May, which means it's time for the Art Ed Radio Mailbag! Host Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn for a jam-packed episode full of practical advice and a few laughs along the way. This month's mailbag covers some of the most common challenges art teachers face as the school year winds down. Tim and Amanda tackle how to support students who get frustrated when their work doesn't match their vision, how to teach and maintain effective cleanup routines for paint and clay, end-of-year survival tips for first-year teachers, and how to keep your classroom culture strong without losing structure as spring fever sets in. They also answer a question from a brand-new high school art teacher starting a program from scratch, with plenty of creative supply suggestions. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community and find the May Giveaways! 40 End of the Year Cleanup Jobs for Your Students 7 End of the Year Checklists for the Art Room A Complete List of Supplies for Your New Art Room

In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim is joined by Kyle Wood, art teacher and host of the Who ARTed? podcast, for a fun romp through some of art history's funniest, strangest, and most surprisingly hilarious works. They dig into the surreal nightmare world of Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights, the dry conceptual wit of René Magritte, and the internet-breaking audacity of Maurizio Cattelan's Comedian (aka the duct-taped banana) along with a detour through Renaissance babies with male pattern baldness and Salvador Dalí's near-death by diving helmet.   Whether you're an art teacher looking to bring more humor into your classroom or just a fellow appreciator of the wonderfully weird, this episode is a perfect reminder that art history is both stranger and funnier than you might think. This month at The Art of Education, we're leaning into laughter, and there's no better place to start than right here. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Kyle's Podcasts: Who Arted? and Fun Facts Daily

In this episode from the Art Ed Radio archives, Tim and former co-host Andrew begin by sharing some memorable stories of how student immaturity has reared its head in their classrooms. You won't want to miss Andrew's epic story about his magical powers, after which they discuss tips and tricks to deal with or circumvent immature and offensive behavior. And finally coming full circle, Tim and Andrew discuss ways that masterful teachers can navigate and even leverage immaturity into teachable moments to build a healthy classroom environment and strengthen rapport. Resources and Links Join the Discussions in The Art of Ed Community Why Art Rooms Need More Play and Creativity Laugh as a Class with These Art Room Games Make Students Laugh with These Funny Art History Stories!

In this episode, Tim sits down with elementary art teacher Khadesia Latimer (@thebusybrushes) to explore the biggest shifts she has seen in her 10 years in the classroom. From "learned helplessness" and declining problem-solving skills to the impact of AI and constant technology exposure, Khadesia shares both honest insights and practical strategies for helping students rebuild confidence, resilience, and independence. You'll also hear ideas for bringing back collaboration, using picture books in powerful ways (even beyond elementary!), and why giving students more choice can be a big part of deeper learning. Resources and Links How Art Teachers Overcome Our Biggest Challenges How the Arts Promote Resilient Learners for Life Everyday Art Room Podcast: The Best Children's Books for Art Teaching 6 Picture Books to Prompt an Awareness of Self and Others

It's time for the April mailbag! Tim and Amanda are back to answer your most pressing questions, all of which come straight from the Art of Ed Community this month. In this episode, they tackle everything from rethinking high school graphic design in the age of Canva and AI to managing very talkative elementary classes. They also share strategies for handling early finishers, supporting student creativity, and building better habits that carry all the way to high school. Plus, you'll hear ideas for celebrating Youth Art Month, thoughts on Adobe certification, and the puppet that has become the bane of Amanda's existence. Give it a listen! Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community See more about AOE's FLEX Curriculum What to Look for in an Art Curriculum Everything You Need to Know About Classroom Management in the Art Room

What is color? And why is it so hard to define? In today's Art Ed Radio episode, Tim sits down with lexicographer and author Kory Stamper to explore the strange, fascinating, and often messy world of color. From dictionary definitions to commercial uses to industrial color matching, Kory shares how something we see every day is surprisingly difficult to pin down in words. She discusses how scientists, artists, and industries all approach color differently, and why humans are both wildly inconsistent and incredibly accurate when it comes to perceiving and matching color. You'll also hear stories from Kory's new book, True Color, and what those stories can tell us about the power of language, perception, and association. Whether you love color theory, design, or just a good deep dive into something we take for granted, this conversation is worth diving into. Resources and Links Find True Color on bookshop.org Take a look at Kory's website How to Teach Color Theory and Keep Students Engaged

What does it really look like to earn your Master's Degree from AOEU? In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim sits down with two educators who took very different paths through the Master of Arts in Art Education program at The Art of Education University. One moved slowly and steadily over several years, while the other accelerated through the program in a much shorter timeframe. Through the stories of Riki Atkins and Mary Donlon, you'll hear how earning a master's degree can transform your teaching—whether you're balancing family life and a full schedule or taking advantage of a season where you can move through your courses quickly. If you've ever considered going back to school but weren't sure how it could fit into your life, this episode offers honest insights, practical advice, and plenty of encouragement. Resources and Links Learn more about the Master's of Arts in Art Education What's it like to take a course at AOEU? See all of the available courses You can also request information or meet with an

In today's episode of Art Ed Radio, Nadia Fernandez-Castillo joins the show to talk about how she built a strong, structured middle school art program rooted in a modern version of the Atelier model. After more than two decades in education and years of teaching middle school art, she shares how repetition, observation, sketchbook practice, and gradual student choice can work together to build both skills and confidence. The conversation explores how a spiral curriculum can make complex ideas more approachable for teachers and more effective for students. Nadia explains why she starts with the basics, how she uses drills and repetition to help students improve, and why she believes artistic growth comes from practice rather than talent. She also shares how she balances structure with personal voice so students can develop technical skills without losing creativity. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Listen to the Art Ed Radio episode on Atelier Training Draw From Old Methods to Teach New K-

In this episode from the archives, Tim sits down with Jessica Stuver, a K–8 art teacher, to discuss Youth Art Month and why early advocacy is crucial for art education. Jessica shares practical strategies for celebrating student creativity, promoting the value of art programs, and making Youth Art Month meaningful for schools and communities. The conversation also explores the power of connection among art teachers, from conferences and professional learning communities (like the Art of Ed Community!) to everyday idea-sharing that helps educators stay inspired. As winter sets in, Jessica offers thoughtful advice on navigating the challenging months of the school year, preparing for the second semester, and prioritizing self-care while continuing to support students. Resources and Links See the Youth Art Month Class in FLEX Join the Art of Ed Community 15 Ways to Advocate for Your Program Simple Ways to Celebrate Youth Art Month in Your School 4 New Ideas to Celebrate Youth Art Month Listen to the Art Ed

In this March mailbag episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn to give some advice for the upcoming NAEA National Convention and answer a variety of other questions. From light topics like underrated artists to heavier discussions about career uncertainty, this episode again offers some real talk about the issues art teachers are facing right now. The episode wraps up with a look at the State of Art Ed survey, including discussions about curriculum, behavior management, and showcasing student artwork. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community See all of the Community Events that Tim and Amanda mentioned! Check out the State of Art Ed results Making the Most of Your Conference Experience Getting Started Teaching Art on a Cart PRO Pack How to Work Smarter, Not Harder with Art on a Cart

In today's episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim sits down with educator, author, and art teacher Erin Sponaugle to talk about art teacher burnout. Not only what it looks like, but why it hits differently in the art room, and what you can do to protect your energy without sacrificing your passion for teaching. Erin shares her experience moving from a fifth-grade classroom into art education, how she recovered from burnout herself, and why art teachers face unique challenges like invisible workload, creative decision fatigue, isolation, and the need for constant creative triage. If you've ever felt exhausted from making decisions all day, stretched thin by extra responsibilities, or pressured to be the "fun class" all the time, this conversation will feel very familiar, and the suggestions offered will hopefully be welcome. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community See Erin's website and look at her Teachaholic book Listen to Erin's podcast and follow her on Instagram Hear Tim as a guest on the Creativity a

What happens when you combine March Madness with art history? You get Arts Madness, a 64-artist, bracket-style tournament that transforms art history into a student-driven debate filled with upsets and passionate arguments that can engage your students. In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim Bogatz welcomes back Kyle Wood to talk about how his version of Arts Madness has grown from a simple bulletin board idea into a nationwide classroom tradition, and why this year might be the biggest and best tournament he's ever done. If you've ever struggled to get students invested in art history, this episode is packed with ideas to spark curiosity, ownership, and authentic engagement. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community See Kyle in the Draw the Line YouTube series Give a listen to the Who Arted? Podcast Also check out Fun Facts Daily

Your first year of teaching has a way of humbling you—especially when you're the only art teacher in the building, juggling hundreds of students, short class periods, and nonstop transitions. In this episode, Tim sits down with Ellie Henderson, a Chicago-area art teacher and ceramics enthusiast, to talk honestly about what her first year looked like, what surprised her most, and what helped her grow into year two. Ellie shares her experiences about learning to manage materials, pacing, and expectations in real time. Through reflections on big wins, necessary pivots, and learning alongside her students, Ellie offers a candid look at the realities of being a new teacher and why letting go of perfection is often the most important step forward. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community What Do First Year Teachers Need to Know? Podcasts Check out the PRO Learning Packs for First Year Teachers See the Think Sheet that Ellie discussed Listen to Cassie Stephens' podcast episode on 30-minute classes

In this February mailbag episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn to answer listener questions and reflect on what's happening in art classrooms right now. From creative routines and community connections to heavier conversations about burnout and career uncertainty, this episode offers some real talk about the issues that so many art teachers are facing. Tim and Amanda discuss what to teach during observations, how to navigate a challenging student teaching placement, and what to do when teaching feels harder than expected. They also talk honestly about shifting student motivation, the importance of struggle and experimentation in art class, and why art rooms are uniquely positioned to teach perseverance, curiosity, and creative risk-taking. The episode wraps up with a positive look at what students are doing well today and highlights weekly wins from the Art of Ed Community—celebrating student artwork, creative lessons, and small moments of success that make the work worthwhile. Resource

In this episode, Jen Leban returns to the show to talk with Tim Bogatz about the upcoming Art Ed NOW Conference and what's new inside the Art of Education Community. Together, they share their excitement about creating connections, building meaningful relationships, and giving art teachers space to learn and recharge, all of which will happen this weekend at Art Ed NOW. Jen previews several conference highlights, including the opportunities for connection, conversation, and community-building. They discuss why it's essential for art teachers to take care of themselves, prioritize well-being, and make time for their own creativity. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Learn more about the Art Ed NOW Conference! Check out Austin Kleon's work before the keynote

In today's episode, Tim sits down with Joel Scholten, K–12 art educator, social media creator, and Art of Education FLEX Standards Manager, to talk about teaching elementary art, finding connection through social media, and rediscovering the joy in our creative practice. Joel shares how Instagram and TikTok have helped him connect with other art teachers, refine his instructional scaffolding, and discover contemporary artists that boost student engagement. He also previews his Art Ed NOW Conference presentation, walks through a powerful negative space watercolor lesson, and drops a budget-saving classroom hack you won't want to miss. He also closes the show with some words of wisdom on how the joy of teaching and creating for yourself can make you a better, more energized educator. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Follow Joel on Instagram Register for the Art Ed NOW Conference! Check out AOE's FLEX Curriculum