About the Author

Matt Christenson

Hello! My name is Matt Christenson, and I’ve been teaching visual arts and mural design for over ten years at City Arts and Technology High School in San Francisco, California. The majority of the amazing students I work with are living in impoverished conditions and are overcoming traumatic circumstances. My classes promote engaging curriculum, independent learning, open-ended problem solving, communicating with an audience, as well as an inclusive culture of collaboration. I have led over thirty mural projects with students and adults on the walls of our school and at numerous other neighborhood locations.

Outside of school, I can often be found walking my dog along the Pacific Ocean, disc golfing, hiking, reading, painting, riding my bike, and running around Northern California.

I’m really excited to join AOE and hope to stimulate artist teacher ideas, interests, and discussions!

Posts by Matt

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
student artwork
Professional Practice

Is There One “Right” Way to Teach Art?

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
student working on mural
Relationship Building

How to Develop Rigor in the Classroom

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
student artwork
Connections

Do Religion and Politics Belong in the Art Room?

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
kids working together
Relationship Building

How to Implement a Graffiti-Inspired Unit: Week 2

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
graffiti
Relationship Building

How to Implement a Graffiti-Inspired Unit: Week 1

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
drawing pencils
Curriculum Design

Why We Must Avoid the “Mile Wide, Inch Deep” Approach to Art Education

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
student talking about art
Assessment Implementation

Why Students Should Present Their Work in Public

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
squeeze tubes in boxes
Physical Space

5 Tricks for Keeping Paint Supplies Organized

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
students working on mural
Connections

It’s Time to Lead a Mural Project

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
teacher teaching
Professional Practice

How to Use Film to Improve Your Work With Students

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
student drawing large on a wall
Media & Techniques

Why You Should Let Your Students Draw Large

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article
photo of dog and photo of cropped dog
Engagement

Take Yourself on a Summer Scavenger Hunt to Find Exemplars for Your Classroom!

Art of Education Magazine & Media Article