So many teachers have a love/hate relationship with teaching ceramics, but the Radio Guys want to convince everyone they can love ceramics like they do. Tim starts the show with a pretty crazy confession about his history with teaching ceramics (1:15). Andrew comes on the show as the guys discuss their favorite homemade tools (5:30), Tim teaches Andrew how to keep his sinks from smelling disgusting (12:30), and Andrew tells about his terrible self-given nickname (15:15) and his best firing processes (16:30). The conversation runs up against the clock, though, so there's even more the guys need to talk about. Be on the lookout for Part 2 soon!

• Tim's video on using blenders for slip
• How to take your basic ceramics projects to the next level
• 50 Amazing Clay Resources from AOE
• Check out the Studio: Ceramics course

Tim has the awesome opportunity to interview author Drew Daywalt--of The Day The Crayons Quit fame--who will be a featured presenter at the 2017 Art Ed Now Online Conference. What most people don't know, however, is that Drew is a successful writer, producer, and director who has found a lot of success with horror films. In a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation, Tim asks Drew about the connection between horror films and children's literature (9:00), they discuss the creative process (12:00), and Drew shares what we can expect from him in the near future (18:00).

• Take a look at Drew's books: The Day the Crayons Quit, and The Day the Crayons Came Home
• Check out some of Drew's horror films
• Check out the article that Introduces Drew as an Art Ed Now Featured Presenter

As Andrew talked about with Johanna last week, curriculum is way less "what" we teach, and more of "how" we teach it. In Part 2, Tim comes on the show to join Andrew in a discussion about curriculum at the secondary level. They hit on the big themes of autonomy and creativity, and how those themes should influence what and how you teach. Listen as they discuss how to give your students a voice in curriculum planning (9:00), how to deal with a curriculum that is dictated to you (12:30), and how to ensure consistency and quality with curriculum by utilizing the National Core Arts Standards (15:15).

• If you missed last week's episode on curriculum, give it a listen!
• Take a look at the National Core Arts Standards that Tim mentioned.
• You can dive deep into The Art of Ed's curriculum resources.

Curriculum is way less "what" we teach, and more of "how" we teach it. Andrew brings on AOE's Johanna Russell to talk about our own systems and routines, and making sure they can work at any level. There are a lot of different approaches to curriculum, of course, but it's important to make sure we are still meeting the standards no matter the approach. As we move beyond that, Andrew talks about mindset vs. skillset, and Johanna starts a discussion on how it's not about what facts they remember, it's about developing confidence as artists and learners (11:30). They also discuss the difference between "covering" material and actually TEACHING that material (15:00), and why we need both kids and colleagues in the correct mindset to find success (19:00). Johanna finishes the show by giving her best advice for writing or rewriting your own curriculum and the best approach for you and your students (26:00).

• Johanna mentioned her learning that came from the book titled "The Power of Habit"
• Johanna's YouTube channel that Andrew mentioned
• Johanna also discussed her book Inevitable by Kevin Kelly
• Dive deep into The Art of Ed's curriculum resources here

Building relationships with parents can be a daunting task--especially when you teach hundreds of kids. But it's always about communication. There aren't a lot of shortcuts, unfortunately, but putting the time into building relationships is ultimately worth it. Listen as Andrew and Lindsey discuss the benefits of a good relationship with parents (8:30), strategies to build those relationships as an elective teacher (11:30), and how to mend fences when problems with parents do arise (17:15).

Take a look at some of Lindsey's best articles:

• Connecting with Parents via Facebook
• Being an Art Teacher Celebrity in Your Community
• Parenting and Teaching Art

Tim had the chance to sit down with author and illustrator Mike Venezia, whose "Getting to Know" series of books are in art rooms around the world. Mike has a great understanding of--and appreciation for--art teachers, and what we do on an everyday basis. This appreciation led to a meaningful and inspirational conversation. Listen as Tim asks Mike about Inspiration and education in art, and how he turned it into a career (3:00), his beginning as an author and illustrator (6:15), and his working methodology when creativity strikes (15:30).

If you want to hear even more from Mike, he will be one of the featured speakers at Art Ed Now, the 2017 Winter Online Conference for Art Teachers. Check out the entire lineup of presenters and register today!

• Check out Mike's website, which features a great bio and all of his work!
• Take a look at this awesome review of Mike's series of books!
• Here are a couple more ideas from AOE to make Art History engaging and enjoyable:
  • https://www.theartofed.com/2017/01/05/surefire-way-make-art-history-less-boring/
  • https://www.theartofed.com/2012/07/31/5-easy-ways-to-add-more-art-history-to-your-curriculum/

It's time for the First Day of School, version 2.0! Whether you had an amazing first semester or an incredibly difficult one, this is your chance to start new. You have a chance to look at classroom management, curriculum, organization, routines, and everything in between. This is also your chance to recharge and redo what isn't working. Andrew asks Tim about his best classroom management advice (8:00), mistakes to avoid (11:15), and how to go above and beyond with your projects in the second semester (16:00). The guys finish the show with a conversation on enlisting your kids to help things run smoothly.

• Tim gave a shout out to Janine Campbell and this episode of Art Ed Radio
• Tim's favorite article on classroom management
• 3 Steps to Fix a Failing Routine
• Some advice on how to teach a new routine

No matter how good you are as a teacher, you undoubtedly are going to have a handful of kids who just don't care. So how do you start trying to get them passionate about making art? How can you create a challenging, engaging environment where students enjoy learning? Andrew and Tim talk about pushing students by tapping into their interests (9:00), building student confidence (12:30), and how to get kids past their apathy without doing the work for them (19:15).

• How to Get Your Apathetic Middle Schoolers Invested in Art
• 5 Strategies for Working With Students Who Hate Art
• 5 Innovative Ideas for Maximum Motivation
• 3 Ways to Motivate Students on Tough Days

For too many art teachers, assessment remains a difficult concept. It's tough to know what's going to work, how it can be implemented, and how it can be incorporated to actually help improve teaching. In this episode, Tim takes on some of these concerns and shares his ideas on making assessment valuable. Heather Crocket, the Educational Director at The Art of Ed, joins the show for a conversation on how assessments can actually affect your classroom (10:00), the best formative and summative assessments for the art room (13:15), and why assessment is so difficult for art teachers (17:45). Most importantly, Heather offers some very specific advice on what we can do as art teachers to take on assessment and make it work for us.

• A Sample SLO for Art Teachers
• 3 Simple Tricks for Tracking Student Growth
• 20 Quick Formative Assessments You Can Use Today
• AOE's Assessment in Art Education Course

Notorious hoarder Andrew McCormick starts the show by sharing some of his thoughts and theories on the amazing things his students can do with the piles of junk lying around his classroom. Tim tries to convince Andrew that it's okay to get rid of some stuff, and Andrew agrees that he might be willing to do so . . . eventually. The guys talk about their favorite places to pick up free supplies (5:30), Andrew's joy when he received comic books and blenders (11:15), and how to turn those donations into some amazing projects (14:00). This episode is filled to the brim with ideas and inspiration--give it a listen now!

• Rethinking the Materials We Use in the Art Room
• 7 Tips to Ensure You Get the Donations You Actually Want
• When Your Art Room Becomes a Dumping Ground
• Budget Like A Boss!