I have been a Facebook fan since the very beginning. From virtual flair boards to bumper stickers to joining weird niche groups, the good old days were FUN.
But, never did I expect all of that fun to turn into an incredible networking tool.
Facebook has helped so many art teachers showcase and advocate for their students and their art programs. How amazing is it that we can share our students’ work with the world at the touch of a button?
These days, it seems like my Facebook feed is filled with art teacher groups and pages. I wouldn’t have it any other way! It’s amazing that art teachers now have spaces to share their successes, frustrations, and personal stories.
If you haven’t joined an art teacher Facebook group or are looking for more, we have suggestions for you!
Here are 15 art teacher Facebook groups to check out right now.
Below you’ll find a link for each group as well as the description (or an excerpt of the description) given on Facebook. Before you join a group or request to join a group, make sure you understand what type it is and who might be able to see anything you post there. Happy browsing!
1. Art Teachers
“We consider this (and always hope this to be) a place of encouragement and support for professional art educators.”
2. Elementary Art Teachers
“A place for elementary school art teachers to share and connect in a positive way!”
3. Middle School Art Teachers
“A place for art teachers of students in grades 6th-8th to share ideas, get inspiration, and vent.”
4. High School Art Teachers
“A Facebook group for high school art teachers (including Painting, Photography, Graphic Design, Textiles, Fashion Design, Printmaking, Digital Media teachers, etc…).”
5. Art Teachers Teaching Art
“Art Teachers Teaching Art is a place for art teachers to come and ask questions, share lesson plans, participate in general conversation, and support each other.”
6. AP Art Teachers
“This group is for teachers of AP Art. It is a place to share ideas, projects, wisdom, and resources that encourage and inspire students and teachers. A place to support each other and reach out for help.”
7. Professional Art Teachers
“A group for professional K-12 art teachers and fans of The Art of Education!”
8. Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) Art Educators
“A place to learn, share, mentor, and grow Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) philosophy and practice.”
9. High School TAB
This group doesn’t have an official description. You’ll find high school teachers using the TAB philosophy here.
10. Play Based Art Teaching
“By playing children bring their art and ideas to school. Please post your creative play ideas.”
11. Special Needs in Art Education (SNAE)
“Our purpose is to promote art education for learners with special needs through professional development, educational collaboration, advancement of knowledge, and leadership.”
12. Ceramics Teachers K-12
“A place for teachers of high school, middle school, and elementary ceramics to connect. We are here to ask and answer questions, share best practices, ideas, lesson plans, and more.”
13. Art Teachers as Artists
“This is a public group for art teachers to share and discuss the work that they create.”
14. Art Teacher Marketplace
“The primary focus of this group is to exchange goods that we no longer need in our collection of goodies. Feel free to sell, trade, and barter your art supplies and various art education-related materials.”
15. #ArtTeacherProblems
“Post your humorous #ArtTeacherProblems here!! You can, of course, vent about real problems, too, however, remember this is a group that is open to the public!”
Of course, this list is only the beginning. I am a part of regional groups, NAEA groups, groups that speak to my interest as an artist, and more. There is just so much to learn!
Facebook lets me see how teachers are teaching and how students are learning. It’s a fabulous tool that lets us connect on a level that was unheard of, even five years ago.
But, Facebook is just the beginning.
While we’re at it, let’s not forget about the power of other social media sites.
Take, for example, Twitter. Twitter gives us the news at our fingertips. Again, you can choose to follow art teachers and organizations that speak to you. One of my favorites is #k12artchat. I have learned so much by being involved with so many remarkable art teachers from around the world.
Somehow, I got old over the years, so I am still working my way into the world of Instagram. It’s an incredible way to share student artwork! You can check out some articles below for Instagram inspiration.
- 5 Compelling Reasons Art Teachers Need to Explore Instagram
- A Guide to Using Instagram in the Classroom
- 12 Interesting and Inspiring Art Teachers to Follow on Instagram
- 20 Artists to Follow on Instagram Right Now
- 5 Instagram Hashtags to Use in Your Art Room
When you post, don’t forget to use hashtags so others can search your work! Here are a few to consider: #artclass, #elementaryart, #middleschoolart, #highschoolart, #k12artchat, #artteachersofinstagram, #artlesson.
Social media is quite fascinating, and it’s also quite fabulous. When used correctly, we are all learning from one another, and the winners are our students! I coined #togetherweARTbetter because of the power of social media and how it has, without a doubt, made me a better art teacher.
What’s your favorite social media tool you currently use?
Do you think social media has changed the way art teachers network? Why?
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
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