About the Author

Debi West

Debi West, Ed.S, NBCT, and WESTpectations Educational Consulting owner, is a retired art educator with over thirty years of teaching experience. This includes twenty-four years of teaching children through the visual arts in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Debi has taught at both the elementary and the secondary levels. She spent her career using project-based learning, art with purpose theories, and integrated instruction with the commitment of ensuring that every student became a successful and authentic learner.

Debi West has written and published over 150 articles for Arts & Activities magazine, School Arts magazine, and the Art of Education University, where she currently teaches online graduate courses. She has been featured in five art education books and has written eight teaching resource guides. She is a leader in the field of art education, working tirelessly with the National Art Education Association as elected former Southeastern Vice President and Southeastern Division Director at both the elementary and secondary levels. Debi West has also served as the former President, Youth Art Month chair, business rep, and conference coordinator for the Georgia Art Education Association. She has presented more than eighty workshops, keynotes, and presentations regionally and nationally. Her visual art has been exhibited in numerous galleries, and she is currently working on her jewelry-making skills and is featured in several upcoming art festivals.

Debi has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the recent 2021 National Emeritus Art Educator, National Elementary Art Educator, National Southeastern Secondary Art Educator, National NAHS Sponsor of the year, the NAEA Marion Quin Dix Leadership award, and was a top ten contender for Georgia Teacher of the Year, representing Gwinnett County Georgia as their 2005 Teacher of the Year. She proudly dedicates these awards to the thousands of students she has been honored to teach throughout the years.

Debi currently resides in Hilton Head, SC with her husband Chuck and is the proud mom of Croy and Carson.

Professional Achievements:

University of South Carolina Bachelor’s Degree (1989)

Moore College of Art and Design Degree (1992)

University of Georgia Master’s Degree (1999)

University of Georiga Education Specialist Degree (2004)

University of Georgia Doctorate Degree (2014)

Posts by Debi

Content Type
  • All
  • Article
  • Podcast
  • Video
Topic
  • All
  • Assessment
  • Classroom Management
  • Curriculum
  • Instructional Strategies
  • News
  • Professionalism
  • Studio Practices
Subtopic
  • All
  • Assessment Design
  • Assessment Implementation
  • Expectations
  • Physical Space
  • Relationship Building
  • Curriculum Approaches
  • Curriculum Design
  • Differentiation
  • Engagement
  • Advocacy
  • Professional Learning
  • Professional Practice
  • Connections
  • Creativity
  • Media & Techniques
Media & Techniques

A Deceptive Drawing Assignment to Boost Your Students’ Confidence

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
student AP artwork
Assessment Implementation

How to Run a Meaningful Critique in Minutes

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
family fun night participants
Connections

How to Host a Family Fun Art Night for Your School Community

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
color wheel hands
Media & Techniques

A More Creative Way to Teach Color Theory

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
Connections

15+ Inspiring Ideas for Cross-Curricular High School Art Projects

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
oil pastels
Advocacy

10 Art Supplies to Remind You How Amazing Your Job Is

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
Debi wearing a beret
Advocacy

Celebrating the Many Hats Art Educators Wear

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
student artwork
Media & Techniques

A Research-Based Art Lesson With Outstanding Results

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
staff portraits
Advocacy

Why Staff Portraits Are the Perfect Project for December

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
Color Wheel Zoo Project
Curriculum Approaches

How to Bring Disciplines Together Through a STEAM Course

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
Debi West
Advocacy

The 20 Things I Am Most Thankful for as a Retired Art Teacher

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
face and vase art
Media & Techniques

A Drawing Activity to Build Technical Skills and Creativity

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article