About the Author

Jessica Balsley

Hello. I’m Jessica Balsley, Founder of The Art of Education University. My husband Derek and I founded The Art of Education in 2011 to help art teachers around the world access higher quality professional development.

Before founding AOE, I was a K-5 Art Teacher, K-12 Professional Development Coordinator, and Graduate Instructor. I am passionate about helping art teachers perform at a high level, both professionally and personally.

The opposite of boredom is passion. When you are passionate about what you do, you are unstoppable. The Art of Education University exists to help teachers at every stage of their career reignite their passion for and confidence towards teaching. It’s my mission to lead this organization to produce high-quality professional development that is relevant and accessible. 

Posts by Jessica

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Video

My Favorite Simple Visuals for the Art Room

If you have limited wall space in your art room,  you must be selective with types of posters that are worthy...
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Article

The Only Online Clay Resource You’ll Ever Need!

One of my very favorite clay resource websites is run by art educator, John Post at www.johnpost.us. From project to...
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Article

Streamline Your Ordering Process With These 8 Tips

Ordering art supplies each year is overwhelming. Many orders are due in the spring, so the race is on to...
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Article

Making SLO’s in the Art Room Manageable

If you implemented a growth goal this year only to find the outcome wasn’t what you expected, perhaps you didn’t...
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Article

A Sample SLO for Art Teachers

Art-specific growth samples are hard to come by. In fact, many schools simply throw something like a 5th Grade Band...
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Article

10 Things to Stop Doing Now as an Art Teacher

You are accustomed to people adding things to your plate. You probably feel obligated to do more because it’s ‘the...
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Article

The Top 5 Reasons to Make Student Growth Data Visible

If your state is implementing a new student growth model for teacher evaluation, you are well versed in assessment. In...
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Video

Tips for Sharing Your Art Room with Others

If you are lucky enough to have an art room, chances are you are often sharing that space with others....
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Article

How Gelli Arts Turned the Monoprinting World Upside Down

This week we will have a 3 day series (with a giveaway tomorrow!) focused on one of the newest and...
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Video

Plan Ahead to Ensure the Hallways Shine this Fall

Do you feel embarrassed by the poor, bare walls in your school during the months of August and September because...
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Article

7 Surefire Ways to Send Home Artwork Safely

Your students make amazing pieces of art. The artwork is displayed beautifully all winter. Portfolios are assembled, assessments are finished....
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Video

Simple and Beautiful Altered Book Techniques for the Classroom

I LOVE altered books! This is a great project because it allows students to upcycle something that may have gone...
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