The longer you’ve been in the art room, the faster the years seem to fly by! Before this one fades into a memory, take a few minutes to revisit the moments that mattered most. This year was filled with creativity, connection, and magic, thanks to passionate art teachers like you who go beyond their job duties to make a real difference every day.
If you’re craving more magic to level up your art teacher game, you’re closing out the year in the right place. Reminisce with laugh-out-loud art room adventures, refreshingly real chats, and relevant teaching tips. Here’s a look back at the year’s top “can’t-miss” highlights that remind us why art teachers matter so much.
Real Laughter, Real Art Teacher Energy
If you haven’t checked out the Dear Sketchbook series on YouTube yet, now is the time! Each episode packs practical tips, engaging project ideas, and validation that you are not alone. The October and November episodes are particularly excellent.
In Fall Art Room Vibes: Spooky Art Teacher Fun & Art Supply Revivals, learn how to repurpose old markers and gain inspiration about how to best handle holidays in the art room. In Portraits & Paper Mache Ideas that POP! Powerful Art Projects for All Levels, be inspired by non-traditional projects that stretch student creativity and jam to Jackie’s original song about getting furloughed. These episodes have so much fun and even more heart. Don’t miss them!
Real Joy, Real Community
Sometimes the best inspiration comes from a quick scroll. The #WeeklyWin hashtag has become a beloved Friday tradition in The Art of Ed Community. It’s a way to grab a quick peek into other art teachers’ classrooms: photos of student artwork, small victories, and bright spots from their week.
It’s low-lift, high-reward, and filled with good vibes, wonderfully weird student stories, and fresh project ideas. It’s tangible proof that you’re not alone, the work we do matters, and meaningful things are happening in art rooms everywhere. The Community just celebrated its one-year birthday and continues to rapidly grow. In such a short time span, there are so many magical discussion threads—now is the perfect time to jump in so you don’t miss anything else.
Real Mystery, Real Art Teachers
Calling all art teachers who are excellent listeners—have you heard these two unforgettable moments in Art Ed Radio’s podcast history? While fresh podcast episodes go live every single week, two magical moments stand out from the rest.
Art History Mystery
If you’re an art teacher who’s also a true crime fan, Art History Mystery (1, 2) is the perfect listen for you. Complete with a cast of favorite art teacher characters, these episodes tell the story of a PD day at the Museum of Modern Art. The plot twist is when a Salvador Dali masterpiece goes missing. With quirky teachers, determined detectives, and unreliable security, this two-part podcast blends art history, art education, and true-crime-style suspense. Can you solve the mystery before the detectives do?
Live from Chicago
For the first time, Art Ed Radio was recorded in front of a live audience! This episode captures the energy of The Art of Ed Community coming together with real questions, honest reflections, and plenty of laughter. The conversation offers genuine perspectives from educators in attendance, and the live setting brings a unique spark—equal parts professional development and art-teacher camaraderie. If you love the monthly mailbag, this episode is one you absolutely can’t skip!
Real Behaviors, Real Art Rooms
Real art classrooms have real behavior challenges—no matter how many years you’ve been teaching. For an authentic approach filled with rewarding (and relatable!) stories, add Draw the Line to your watchlist. Kyle Wood and Liz Brent share common tricky situations and how to tackle them with confidence, professionalism, and empathy. The videos are short and easy to digest but loaded with tips, strategies, and activities to help you navigate even the most perfectionistic artists or pushy parents.
Real Art Materials, Real Nostalgia
We often roll our eyes at crayons—but secretly, we love them so much. The waxy smell of crayons, the way the paper feels soft when you peel it, and the unique color names all make crayons a magical component of any child’s core art memories. They are a classic staple in any art closet, probably because we can’t bring ourselves to toss them.
It’s time to dust those crayon boxes off and haul them into the art room! Did you know that there are so many ways to elevate crayons into high-quality artworks, even for high school students? Take a peek into our most popular article of the year and see how crayons are the unsung heroes of any art program. Dig into other famous artists who used crayons, switch it up with other types of crayons, and try out some unexpected art processes that go way beyond a coloring book.
It’s clear that the most meaningful moments are also the most real and relatable. While engaging lesson plans are great, it’s the connections and experiences that stick. Whether you found inspiration, joy, or simply a much-needed laugh in these highlights, let them remind you that you’re part of a vibrant, supportive community here at The Art of Ed. Take these moments with you into the new year, and don’t blink—because the next wave of art room magic is already on its way!
Tell us! What was your favorite AOE article, video, or podcast this year?
Share what you’d like to see more of next year!
To chat about this past year with other art teachers, join us in The Art of Ed Community!
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.
