If we are going to create well-rounded artists, our students need to be versed in a variety of subjects and topics. Those connections between subjects help us create art at a deeper level. Natalie Jackson, a Washington, D.C. teacher who does incredible things with interdisciplinary teaching, is on the show to share some of her best ideas. She talks to Tim about the benefits of storytelling (4:00), how she collaborates with other teachers and other subjects (10:15), and helping students develop confidence and creativity (13:00).

• An In-Depth Look at the Power of Art Integration
• Collaborating with Classroom Teachers
• 5 Things to Know About Arts Integration
• How to Effectively Collaborate with Classroom Teachers

Taking over a program is never an easy task. But when you follow a legendary teacher, it is even more difficult. It's important to make the program your own, and this episode has great advice on how to do just that. Molly and Tim discuss how previous teachers' pedagogy and teaching style affect how a new teacher is received (5:30), why you need to share your 'why' with your students (10:30), and what to do when you have student pushback and issues with discipline (12:45).

• Starting an Art Program from Scratch
• Proven Strategies for Recruiting Students for Your Program
• How to Stay Positive when Faced with Change
• 7 Ways to Hit Your Stride in the Art Room

You've undoubtedly heard about the art teacher from Utah who was recently fired for showing controversial artworks. Mateo Rueda is his name, and he joins Tim on the podcast today to share the full story of everything that has happened in the past month. Listen as Mateo tells about the lesson that caused the controversy (5:00), the surreal disciplinary actions he faced (11:30), how the reaction to his story went viral (17:00), and what opportunities he has moving forward (23:15).

• The story from Mateo's local news (read the comments at your own risk)
• Ironically enough, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts has an entire guide on teaching the nude in art
• How to Approach Naked vs. Nude in the Art Room

It is the new year, and the guys are going to celebrate with a mailbag! Tim and Andrew answer questions from listeners on a wide range of topics, starting with their New Year's resolutions. The discussion then moves into the best foods to use for sculpture (5:00), balancing their teaching of skills and concepts (11:15), and their essential supplies (20:00), before they close out the show by sharing what inspires them to be better teachers.

The guys covered a variety of topics today. Here are a few articles related to the discussion:

• Teaching Multiple Projects at Once
• Teaching Art is Like Running a Marathon
• So What Should We Be Teaching?
• Goals for the New Year

Tim and Andrew are back together after quite a few episodes apart! They are talking today about appreciating your time off during break, but also focusing on the reasons why you keep coming back to school day after day. Listen as they discuss how to keep your mindset right, the best reasons to set long-term goals for yourself, and the advice they have for teachers who might be feeling burnt out.

• Sometimes making art can be the inspiration you need
• How to beat the winter blahs
• Staying positive when you're faced with change

Intro to Art is a class that a lot of teachers consider a throwaway--a class that remains an afterthought while attention is directed to advanced classes. AOE writer Debi West makes a convincing argument, however, that Intro to Art is actually your most important class. She and Tim get together to compare notes on teaching Intro and discuss their strategies to make the class run effectively. They talk about why the elements and principles are so important (4:30), how you can use visual journals to enhance your students' skills (11:00), and how we can make each student feel successful (17:15).

• What is the Purpose of Art One?
• A good case for the importance of art education
• Essential steps to turn art one students into artists

Dr. Lois Holzman is a developmental psychologist who is internationally recognized for her work regarding the effects of play, performance, and group creativity over the span of a lifetime. In February, she will be presenting at the Art Ed Now conference on how improvisation can improve your teaching and your students' learning. In this episode, she and Tim preview that presentation and discuss the benefits of play and how it affects both kids and adults (5:15), how you can set your students up for individual successes (11:45), and how you can use improvisation as a teaching tool (17:15).

• Visit Dr. Holzman's blog
• View her TED talk
• Learn about the East Side Institute
• Dr. Holzman is also the author of numerous books
• Tim referenced the very first episode of Art Ed Radio when the topic of 'Everything is a Remix' came up. Listen at your own peril

Ray Yang, AOE's newest writer, makes his debut on Art Ed Radio to talk to Tim about encouraging risk-taking, appreciating the creative process, and great ways to advocate for your program. Join the guys as they discuss how we create an environment where kids are comfortable failing (5:15), teaching students how to think and reflect (13:00), and how to use extra work as an opportunity to make your program and your school better (18:00).

• Teaching Students to Fail Spectacularly
• How to Help Students Process, Reflect, and Enact Change
• Using Reflection to Develop the Creative Process
• We're Not Just Here for Posters and Bulletin Boards!

Whether you're a huge fan of comics or don't know a single thing about them, they can still be used in the classroom. They are a gateway to both artmaking and meaningful discussion. In this episode, Andrew talks to Dr. Richard Graham (author of the book "Goverment Issue: Comics for the People") about how comics can help with engagement and student behavior (3:45), specific strategies for teaching with comics (10:00), and advice for using comics as a hook to get students more involved (14:45).

Here is a list of (almost) all the comics Andrew and Dr. Graham discussed in the episode:

• Nearsighted Monkey Tumblr
• Persepolis
• Persepolis Film
• King Cat
• Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
• Spy Seal
• My Favorite Thing is Monsters

Stubborn kids can be difficult, and far too often they fall into the mindset where their first idea is their only idea. Andrew is always looking for new ideas to get past this mindset, and today he goes to former AOE writer Melissa Purtee for advice. Melissa talks about her experiences and the differences she sees between teaching elementary and secondary (4:45), what happens in your room when kids start to "get it" (9:00), and how to get kids past their fears and coming into art with an open mind (13:30).

• Melissa will be presenting "When Kids Can't, Won't, or Don't" at the Art Ed Now conference in February: www.artednow.com
• Check out all of Melissa's articles
• You can see her personal blog here: http://www.thoughtsonarting.com/