About the Author

Janet Taylor

My name is Janet Taylor, and I teach high school art in the western suburbs of Chicago. I have taught a little bit of everything including drawing, sculpture, ceramics, darkroom and digital photography, jewelry/metals, play production, adaptive art, as well as all three portfolios of AP Art and Design. I totally geek out in developing Choice-based curriculum and believe that by guiding students through their own creative process, they are empowered to create unique and meaningful artworks.

I received two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Iowa (one in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in set design and one in Studio Art with a painting emphasis). After spending ten years in NYC and Chicago working as a Scenic Artist, I returned to my passion of teaching and received a Masters of Education from DePaul University in 2010. I have taught in three different school districts, including Chicago Public Schools and the suburbs.

In my “free time” you might find me playing games, going for hikes, reading together at the library with my husband and two kids, or oil painting or collaging in my back porch studio. I am thrilled to be part of the AEOU team and look forward to engaging conversations with all of you amazing art educators!

Posts by Janet

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student exemplar
Article

13 Fresh and Seamless Ways to Expand Your Art Lesson

Have you ever felt your students’ attention and interest wane when working through long units? Sometimes it feels good to...
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stacks of books
Article

6 Powerful Ways to Advocate for Your Visual Arts Program Post Pandemic

We continue to navigate the profound impact of an awakening brought upon by extreme politics, racial injustices, and collective trauma...
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sketchbook with boundary checklist
Article

7 Tips to Help You Set Boundaries in the Art Room with Confidence

You have five minutes to run to the bathroom and eat your lunch. Just as you sit down, you hear...
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mailbox
Article

It’s College Season! 10 Tips for Writing the Best Recommendation Letter

When your classes start rolling, the recommendation requests start piling up. These early fall months bring the first big push...
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two hands exchanging black paper heart
Article

4 Practical De-escalation Strategies to Support SEL in the Art Room

We all have students who become angry, frustrated, and overwhelmed. How can we diffuse the situation? Understanding and practicing social...
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rubric with calculator
Article

How to Streamline Your Summative Assessments with Our Awesome Plug n’ Play Rubric

Does the word “rubric” make you want to hide under a table? Are you confused about where to start when...
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triptych girl catching stars
Article

8 Ways to Use Clichés to Support Deeper Thinking

We’ve all received drawings covered in hearts because they’re about love. Or perhaps you’ve received landscape paintings of trees about...
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art department mosaic
Article

18 Awesome Service Projects for Your National Art Honor Society

Prepping for a new school year is a lot of work, and it takes a chunk of our mental capacity....
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hands throwing pot on wheel
Article

4 Reasons Why Teaching a Level 1 Course is the Best!

Young art teachers often pine over the day when they will have the honor of teaching advanced or AP art...
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brushes and watercolors with mark making on paper
Article

Do You Really Have to Choose Between Being an Artist or Art Teacher?

“Which one are you? Are you an artist or teacher?” When I interviewed for my teaching position, I was asked...
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sketchbook spread of writing and doodling
Article

How to Leverage the Power of Questions to Drive Instruction

Asking the right question at the right time is powerful. Questioning is a great way to promote student confidence and...
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two people at a sculptural desk
Article

Rethinking Art—13 Innovative Artists Who Play With Form and Function

It is natural for most students to assume art is only drawing, painting, and realism. But, we know art is...
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