About the Author

Mariana VanDerMolen

Hi! My name is Mariana VanDerMolen, and I am a writer for the AOEU Magazine. I have been involved with Art Education for five plus years and have taught art from grades K–8. Real-life skills, language learning strategies, and therapeutic practices lie at the heart of my instruction.

In 2020, I turned to AOEU courses to get my bearings in the world of virtual instruction. This turned into two years of honing my instructional practices, teaching philosophy, and research skills through the AOEU Master’s Program. With my degree in hand and the confidence I have built, I am eager to help you in any way I can!

When I am not writing or teaching, I like to use my aesthetic instincts to design and decorate the interior of my home. Visual journaling, scrapbooking, and video editing are other ways my creativity shines! You will often find me reading, spending quality time with my cat, or exploring the various corners of the tropical island I call home.

I am excited to be a part of the AOEU team, and I look forward to growing with you!

Posts by Mariana

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
printed downloads
Article

The 8 Best Downloads for Art Teachers to Stand Out This Year

What’s better than a back-to-school sale? Why, some back-to-school resources, of course! Soften the end of your vacation and shift...
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walkingstick
Article

10 American Landscape Paintings Every Art Teacher Will Want to Dive Into

Travel season is afoot! There’s nothing like summer to fill your conversations and dreams with plans for epic vacations. But...
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floating in water
Article

Popular Activities for Art Teachers to Actually Relax This Summer

School’s out, so scream, shout, and get your planners out! No, no—not for curriculum mapping or lesson planning. You need...
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looking at art at museum
Article

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List Items for Every Art Teacher to Enjoy

Get ready to carpe diem your way through every day this summer! Instead of letting your break zip past in...
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bisa butler
Article

9 Self-Reflection Questions From Famous Artworks to End Your Year With Intention

Surprise yourself with how much you’ve grown this year! The end of the school year is a crazy time filled...
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cupcakes
Article

58 Outstanding Artists With Summer Birthdays to Inspire You Over Break

Nothing says Happy Birthday quite like rainbow swirl cupcakes! And nothing says art teacher on summer break like a list...
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sculpture making on floor
Article

Exclusive New Episodes in the Art Room Only an Art Teacher Would Understand

The long-awaited first season of Only An Art Teacher is now available on all streaming platforms! Life in your art...
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hand holding little pencil
Article

10 Absolutely Hysterical Scenes From the Life of an End-of-Year Art Teacher

Wake me up when it’s all over! This end-of-year art teacher plea fills the air because it’s that time of...
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students drawing portraits
Article

7 Ways to Process Artistic Growth With Your Elementary Students

Oh me, oh my, how your little artists have grown! They have taken on challenges, tried new approaches, and generated...
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weaving with nature items
Article

7 Exciting Outdoor Lessons You Can Use to Take Art Out Into Nature

Is Spring Fever hitting your art room hard as the year draws to a close? With the school days dwindling...
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hands drawing a sun
Article

3 Love and Logic® Secrets to Manage Art Room Behaviors With Less Stress

Love often defies logic, but it doesn’t always have to. In fact, the best way to deal with student behaviors...
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art display
Article

15 Revolutionary Art Show Tips to Put On a Remarkable Show This Year

It’s time to show off the ingenious artists you spend all day with! You and your students have been hard...
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