About the Author

Megan Dehner

Why hello! I’m Megan Dehner. Currently, I am the Senior Editor of AOEU’s Online Magazine and FLEX Content Lead. While I love what I do, my path to art teaching was not linear. I graduated with a B.F.A. in Printmaking and B.A. in Spanish from The University of Iowa in 2008 and then decided to try my hand at being a freelance artist, free spirit, and world traveler. While successful, I wanted to share my love of learning in a deeper way. So, back to the classroom, I went for teaching degrees in Art and Spanish Language in 2011. Since then, I have taught the middle grades and most recently at a dual-language (Spanish/English) elementary. I am so thankful to have landed in such an essential field. I passionately believe in empowering art teachers with resources and knowledge so that they can give students a chance to practice creativity regardless of any talent or barrier.

When I’m not working to make art education available to everyone, I love exploring, learning, and planning adventures with my husband and two little kiddos, both near and far from where we live in Iowa City, Iowa.

Posts by Megan

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
school facebook page
Article

Why You Should Stop Posting and Start Talking

Does this sound familiar? Open app. Select photo. Apply filter. Write description. Add hashtags. Post. Scroll. Like. Repeat. As art...
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school art room
Article

Why Art Teachers Don’t Want to Be Called “Special”

There’s no doubt art educators are a special bunch. Some might even say we’re superhuman. When we combine our passion,...
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students moving in art classroom
Article

How to Get Moving in the Art Classroom

You can see it in the shifting, distracted eyes of your students. In their tapping toes, their wiggling bodies, and...
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student artwork of a heart
Article

Why It’s OK to Use Seasonal Themes in the Art Room

Art teachers have a tough job. We are constantly having to explain the lines between crafting and creating. Many of...
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Article

5 Black Female Artists You (and Your Students!) Should Know

As art educators, some may argue we would not have a chance at doing what we do without the likes...
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student group work
Article

How to Nurture Your Introverted Students in the Art Classroom

Making sure education has a place for all types of students is an essential part of being a teacher. Educators...
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shape blocks
Article

6 Ways to Connect Math and Art in the Elementary Classroom

“Making Math Connections.” The phrase alone prickles many an art teachers’ spine. Combining the color, passion, and excitement of the...
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Article

How to Identify and Use Critical Vocabulary in the Art Classroom

As art teachers, we know words matter. “Roller” vs. “brayer,” “paint” vs. “ink,” “6B” vs. “6H.” When choosing tools and...
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breaking clay into lumps
Article

How to Reclaim a Solid Block of Dry Clay

It lurks in any art room, in a dark corner or cabinet, left behind and forgotten by a well-intentioned art...
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art book library
Article

5 Ways to Bring Literacy Into the Art Classroom

With good reason, it seems like every school district across the nation has a movement toward a literacy action plan....
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winter lantern
Article

How to Diffuse a Scrooge and Feel Happier This Season

BAH-HUMBUG! We’ve all been there. It is that time of year, after all. A winter break for many art teachers...
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thank you sign
Article

How to Show Gratitude in an Often Thankless Environment

It’s no secret that being an art educator requires a lot of hard work. At the same time, we know...
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