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
Video

Why Every Art Room Needs a Chill Out Chair

When I was a first-year art teacher, I noticed a lot of teachers had an area in their classroom where they...
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Article

A Proven Classroom Management System to Try in Your Art Room

Can you believe that many of us graduated without ever having to take a classroom management course? Maybe you’ve found yourself...
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Article

11 Ways to Build Personal Relationships When You See 500 Students a Week

When you think about how many students walk through your door in a week, the idea of building personal relationships, let...
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Video

Yes, You Can Use Sketchbooks at the Elementary Level

Have you ever wanted to do sketchbooks with your elementary students but thought they were too young? Do you have questions...
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Article

Need More Sinks? Try One of These 5 Practical Solutions

    My school was built in the 1980s, a decade where the idea of washing your hands after a...
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Video

The Perfect Kindergarten Project to Show Student Growth

With the beginning of the school year quickly approaching, many of you have probably started to plan out your first...
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Article

Go Ahead! Show a Video on the First Day of School

If there is one thing I have learned in all my years of teaching, it is that technology rules. I...
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Video

How to Use Everyday Items to Distribute Supplies

As the summer starts to wind down, I’m beginning to think about the upcoming school year and all of the...
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Article

The Absolute Easiest Way to Make Graphics for Your Classroom

  “Would you mind making a poster for me?” We’ve all been hunted down and asked this question at one...
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Article

Your Ultimate Guide to Free Choice in the Art Room

When I was first introduced to the idea of a free choice area, I was a bit skeptical. At first,...
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Article

Solve Your Ruler Problems With This Innovative New Tool

    “I’m going to show you all how we can use math measurements in art.” No other phrase takes...
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Article

Teach Your Students to Make Collagraph Prints

I’ve always felt overwhelmed when it comes to the printmaking process. For me, it has always been a struggle to...
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