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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Article

Watercolor Pencils: Providing Painting Control in the Art Room

Have your students ever completed a beautiful and intricate drawing pre-painting, only to have the drawing get obliterated by gobs...
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Article

6 Ways to Get Your Student’s Attention Without Talking

Classroom management isn’t simply a set of rules and consequences. It’s an ongoing process that is woven into every single...
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Article

What Are the Biggest Misconceptions About Teaching Art?

Many people who aren’t in the field of art education LOVE what we do in the art room, and think...
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Article

7 Ways to Get Paid More as an Art Teacher

We’ve all heard the same sob story time and time again. Teacher’s don’t get paid enough. While this is a...
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Article

So, What’s Up With the Zentangle® Method, Anyway?

Are you a Zentangle® Method master or does the thought of getting all ‘Tangled up” in doodle mode make you shudder? It...
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Article

The Case of the Crumbling Eraser…and Other Eraser Chat

Nothing makes my blood boil like peering into the supply basket after a long day and seeing erasers that have...
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Article

Take the Boredom Out of Observational Drawing

Let’s face it. Observational drawing can be downright boring for our students. The default setting many art teachers revert to...
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Article

A Recipe to Make Practice Clay and Other DIY Clay Options

In “Teaching Clay Without a Kiln: An Art Teacher’s Resource” I talked about alternatives to traditional clay materials for the...
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Article

Teaching Clay Without a Kiln: An Art Teacher’s Resource

What some art teachers would consider a necessity and staple in their art rooms, other art teachers survive day in...
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Article

Use One Word to Correct Any Student Behavior

This time of year, you may  notice students becoming immune to the sound of your voice. Do you find art...
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Article

Timesaving Trick: Making Time for Weekly Lesson Planning

How often do you sit down at your desk and make a date with your lesson plan book? Wait. Sit...
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Article

Is Your Art Curriculum Designed Selfishly?

I will admit : My first few years of teaching I was a selfish art teacher when designing my art...
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