Cassie Stephens

Okay...so, markers. I know what you are thinking: Really, Stephens? You have a whole episode on markers?! Yes! And you bet your bottom dollah you gonna learn a thing or two. From how to dissect them to how to recycle them, make marker juice, paint with them and so much more. Stay tuned at the end for my three favorite things this week. And be sure to check out our awesome sponsor, I'm so excited to share their product with you!

There is so much in this episode you won't wanna miss it. Even if you think you know everything there is about oil pastels, I have some tips that will surprise you! For instance, did you know that you can clean oil pastels? Did you know that there is one household item that will turn oil pastels into paint? AND did you know that soaking pastels overnight does something magical? You'll have to listen to find out more...and check my blog for the lessons mentioned in the podcast, all free and many with video! Enjoy!

I'm spilling the BEANS on all things chalk pastels: my favorite hacks, my favorite projects and all that I learned while creating this episode! Also, I have a BIG announcement. I'm excited to share our sponsor this week AND a new segment at the end. Thank you for listening!

Not too long ago, I shared my thoughts on evaluations...they're a crock, says me. However, they are a necessary evil that deep inside, even the most jaded of art teachers like me, hopes to rock. So today I'm sharing my Top Ten's: Top Ten Things to do before and during your evaluation. I'm also talking about what to do after your evaluation, how to make the most of it AND those miserable things called SURPRISE evaluations (what did we do to deserve this, y'all?!). Enjoy!

Trying to navigate the waters of standards, curriculum and lessons plans is tough and exhausting...and if you let it, it can seem to suck the very joy right out of teaching. The key is not to lose sight of who you are as an art teacher. Why did you become an art teacher? Keeping that at the front of your mind will make creating a curriculum map and writing a lesson plan not only easier but, dare I say...FUN! Let' go!

What noise level do you strive for in your art room? In this episode, I'm talking (a lot!) about how to introduce noise level expectations to your students, how they will know which noise level they are to work toward and all my favorite hacks on working toward a focused art room. Some days, my kids are chatty and others they are quiet. It's really a matter of preference. Whatever you decide, a solid management plan will make that happen. Let's talk about it!

Okay, final chat about kiln fire clay! Here's all you'll need to know about how I store clay projects and how I go about glazing. If you don't wanna mess with glaze, then I am also covering my very favorite glaze-less techniques too! Don't forget to listen to Part 1 and 2 of these episodes for much more clay info. Enjoy!

Now that you know the supplies to order, let's roll up our sleeves and get a little messy! Today I'll be talking about setting up for clay, how to teach clay for optimum success and how to successfully fire those pieces (without blowing 'em up). I'll also be sharing how to reconstitute even the most dried out bag of clay. I'm calling this series a Clay Crash Course and I hope you'll join me! 

Isn't it kinda crazy to think that when you are hired as an art teacher, it's just assumed you know everything about every medium?! I'd never TOUCHED a kiln until my third year teaching when I found myself with one and five hundred pounds of clay. Wanna know what happened? Well...it's worse than you think. You'll have to take a listen to find out. Join me as we cover clay for the next couple of episodes (don't worry, kilnless friends, we'll talk about you too, right in front of you!). Hope you enjoy! 

"I'm done!" has gotta be up there with my Top Ten Least Favorite Things I Hear in the Art Room...anyone else? But what DO you do with those artists who truly are finished? Let's talk about it! I'm sharing my favorite activities in Early Finishers Land...hope you'll take a listen!