About the Author

Jennifer Borel

In 2014, I was teaching art and running an art teacher blog sharing resources with my readers about activities in my classroom. Little did I know, Jessica Balsley was one of my readers. I contemplated moving on from blogging when Jessica emailed me and encouraged me to apply to be a writer with AOEU. I did and spent two wonderful years writing for the Magazine.

Before my work with AOEU, I taught elementary and middle school art in a large district in northeast Kansas. I taught elementary art for six years before switching to middle school. I loved helping my students engage their creative sides while navigating the challenging middle school years. There is nothing better than watching your students understand and use the concepts they’ve learned long after leaving the classroom.

Currently, I work as an adjunct graduate instructor and academic advisor for AOEU, and I run my own photography business. I enjoy spending time with my husband, John, and our two children. I also love to snap photos from behind my camera, cook up recipes from the excessive number of cookbooks I own, and travel whenever I get the chance.

Professional Accomplishments:

  • Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, Concentration as an Effective Practitioner. (2013)
  • BAE in Visual Arts Education, Minor in Art History, Concentration in Architecture and Interior Design (2009)

Posts by Jennifer

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
students testing markers
Article

40 End-of-the-Year Cleanup Jobs for Your Students

Near the end of every school year, I have my oldest students in the school help me shut down the...
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display of coloring books at the store
Article

Adult Coloring Books: Rad, Bad, or Fad?

When I asked my mother what she wanted for her birthday, I expected a list filled with ideas like clothes, shoes,...
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clean up chart
Article

Why Visme Is the Best Way to Create Engaging Presentations for Your Students

Maybe it’s just me, but these days I find that I’m a little bored with PowerPoint. I imagine if I...
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flowers
Article

Remember Your Value This Teacher Appreciation Week!

Flowers wrapped in tissue, gift cards to the local coffee shop, and presents topped with bows march their way down...
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interview set on calendar
Article

How to Nail These 10 Common Interview Questions

It’s that time of year when jobs start to open up and art teachers everywhere are applying for new positions....
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Video

Stay Sane With These Seating Chart Tips

With a new quarter starting and the glimmer of a fresh school year on the horizon, you might find yourself a little...
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Article

How to Make a Teaching Portfolio for Your Next Interview

One of my final tasks as an undergraduate was to create a teaching portfolio that I could utilize when I started...
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Video

How Do You Use Your Teacher Desk?

All art teachers seem to use their desks differently. While some teachers restrict their desks to strict “no student zones,” other teachers...
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Article

3 Things Every Bulletin Board Needs

One of my tasks as an elementary art teacher is to create fantastic displays in the hallway for my school...
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empty classroom
Article

15 Things to Do When Parents Pass You By at Conferences

Sometimes no matter how hard you lobby for parents to come see you at conferences, they just…don’t. You can put...
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Article

100 Essential Words All Elementary Students Should Learn

Vocabulary is an essential part of the elementary art room. Many of the students who walk into an art room...
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Article

A New Collaborative Project That Proclaims, “Art Matters!”

We’ve all had classes that are a bit tougher to work with. You pull out all your best lessons and teacher...
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