In today's episode, Amanda joins Tim for the August mailbag live from Milwaukee (home of the 2024 Summer NOW Conference). After a quick discussion about Instagram shenanigans (and a brief garden update!), they move into advice for first-year teachers, 30-minute classes, and which art teacher problems we could wave away if we had a magic wand.

• View Tim and Amanda's Olympic Training Reel
• What do New Teachers Need to Know About Classroom Management?
• First-Year Art Teacher's Guide
• Strategies to Effectively Manage 30-minute Classes
• Cassie Stephens's episode on 30-minute classes
• The Zero-Budget Art Room
• Use the code WINTER99 for Early Bird Pricing for the next NOW Conference

With the 2024 Summer NOW Conference happening THIS WEEK, Jen Leban joins Tim to talk about the highlights of the upcoming event.  This includes their excitement about everything coming the next 3 days, the wonderful keynote presentation from Reggie Laurent, and how teachers can make the most of their professional learning on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Join us at the NOW Conference July 31st, August 1st, and August 2nd, where we will share three days of PD that will have you inspired and excited for the upcoming school year! 

• Listen to the podcast interview with artist Reggie Laurent
• Find all you need to know about the NOW Conference
• Check out Tim and Amanda's Olympic Training Reel

Ahead of his keynote presentation at next week's NOW Conference, artist Reggie Laurent joins Tim on the podcast today. After telling about his childhood, developing his creativity, and his beginnings as an artist, Reggie shares a few more stories about his life and his art. Listen as he discusses his own artistic voice, how he began working with teachers, and why he wants his work to inspire students to be part of his legacy. 

• Follow Reggie on Instagram and check out his website
• Find out about (and register for!) the NOW Conference
• See Reggie's partnership with Woodpecker Crafts

In today's episode, Janet joins Tim to discuss her upcoming article about what makes teachers stay at their schools or stay in the position they are in. Whether at the beginning of a teaching career or nearer the end, there are a lot of reasons teachers feel valued and committed to their school. Listen as the conversation covers six of the most important reasons, including supportive and transparent administration, a collaborative and positive environment, and a culture that values the arts. 

• Read Janet's Why Teachers Stay article
• Take a look at the State of Art Education Survey
• Find out about all of the PD and Curriculum offerings from AOEU
• Six Ways to Support New Art Teachers
• 3 Considerations for Taking on a New Job or Position

In today's episode, AOEU enrollment specialist Betsy Komarchuk joins Tim to discuss some of the most important things art teachers should know about formative assessment. Whether using assessment to check for learning, to guide instruction, or facilitate peer and self-evaluations, Betsy has a plethora of ideas for utilizing formative assessment strategies in the art room. 

• Strategies to Use Formative Assessment
• 6 Ideas for Formative Self-Assessment
• Ways to Gather Formative Assessment Data
• 6 Strategies for Fast Formative Assessments
• Find all the information you need for the NOW Conference

In today's episode, Amanda joins Tim for the July mailbag and an opening story about a wedding that was quite the adventure. Then, back by popular demand, more gardening talk! (and other creative endeavors, but skip to about 18:00 if you want to get right to the art ed talk). Listener questions include discussions about knowing when an artwork is finished, fighting for your planning hour, and the best strategies for teaching fine motor skills.

• Take a look at the State of Art Education Survey
• The Quadrants of Creativity
• ChatGPT podcasts: Episode One and Two
• How to Advocate for Yourself in 4 Steps
• 6 Concrete Ways to Improve Your Relationship with Your Principal
• Developing Fine Motor Skills
• Learn more about the NOW Conference

In today's episode, Tim is joined by educator Yunga Webb to talk about her role and efforts at the North Country School in upstate New York to help students find their place and belonging through the power of the arts. Listen as they discuss the programs at her school, the activities she does to foster belonging in her classrooms, and the work we can all do to create a community and a space that offers belonging for all of our students. 

• Take a look at the North Country School
• See the Blind Spot book that Yunga mentioned
• View a video from Mazahrin Banaji
• Learn more about AOEU's NOW Conference

In today's episode, Tim welcomes art educator and first-time guest Venise Keys to the show for a discussion on entrepreneurship in the art room. Venise shares her own journey into small business ownership and talks about how the lessons she has leaned translate into her classroom. Listen as the interview covers career exploration, art history, how emerging technologies have changed the opportunities available to students, and so much more.

• 60 Visual Arts Careers to Discuss with Your Students
• Check out AOEU's Career Cards and find more in FLEX Curriculum
• Find out about all of the PD and Curriculum offerings from AOEU
• Follow Venise on Instagram

In today's episode, Amanda joins Tim to discuss some of the most important things art teachers can look for when job hunting and interviewing. From setting expectations to administrative engagement to the art room budget, the conversation covers what green flags art teachers should look for throughout the process. The discussion also lays out ideas on how administrators and teachers can get on the same page when it comes to expectations for art teachers and their programs.  

• Take a look at the State of Art Education Survey
• Find out about all of the PD and Curriculum offerings from AOEU
• The Art Teacher's Ultimate Guide to Getting Hired
• 3 Considerations for Taking on a New Job or Position

As we move toward the end of school, it is time for the June mailbag episode! Amanda and Tim begin with a chat about the chaos that is the end of the school year, then some ideas from listeners about what they want to change for the next school year. They then dive into a bit of advice on planning your curriculum, getting students engaged, and teaching photography. See the links below for all the resources mentioned in today's discussion!

If you have a question for a future mailbag episode, email [email protected] or leave a voice recording at 515-209-2595.

• Challenges to Foster Creativity video and PDF (Photography)
• A Comprehensive Guide to Teaching Digital Photography
• Strategies for Teaching Photography Podcast (Ep. 231)
• Check out even more photo resources in PRO Learning
• Find the Motivating Reluctant Learners pack in  PRO Learning
• Adaptive Art Resources, and the Adapting the Art Room graduate course
• There are PRO Learning packs on IEPs, Teaching Adaptive Art, Collaborating with Paraprofessionals, and more
• Tim's article on Assigning 3 Projects at Once