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

Content Type
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  • Article
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  • Video
Topic
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  • Assessment
  • Classroom Management
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  • Instructional Strategies
  • News
  • Professionalism
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  • Assessment Design
  • Assessment Implementation
  • Expectations
  • Physical Space
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  • Curriculum Approaches
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  • Differentiation
  • Engagement
  • Advocacy
  • Professional Learning
  • Professional Practice
  • Connections
  • Creativity
  • Media & Techniques
Article

How to Write a “To-Do List” You’ll Actually Use

With all the talk this week of organizing and planning for the new school year, You are likely thinking about...
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Video

Make Pass-Back a Breeze with Colored Table Folders

Here’s a great way to pass back artwork to students quickly and efficiently using the table folder method.  This concept could...
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Article

5 Reasons to Love and Hate How-to-Draw Books

Having students follow a prescribed set of steps is seemingly the most un-creative way to teach children art. However, how-to-draw...
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Article

Doing Montessori at Home With Your Baby

A while back, I visited a Montessori school and was very impressed with what I saw. As I researched more, I...
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Video

Why Every Art Room Needs a Carpet

A carpet in the art room? You may think I am crazy.  A carpet provides a great gathering place for...
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Article

How to Assess Your Art Program: Part 2

We are back with the second installment of “How to Assess Your Art Program.”  In Part 1, I covered Steps...
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Article

How to Assess Your Art Program: Part 1

How to Assess Your Art Program is a two-part series covering an assessment process that will help you gain meaningful...
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Video

How to Stash Your Scraps

Waste not, want not, that is what I say when it comes to saving paper scraps off the paper cutter....
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Article

Late Again? Coping With Tardy Teachers

Art Teacher Pet Peeve: Teachers are late dropping off and picking up their students from art class! Nothing gets under...
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Video

Sink Management 101

This post could have been called: How to Survive an Art Room with Only 2 Working Sinks OR Look Out...
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Video

The “Super Handy Yarn Cart”

Behold, the “Super Handy Yarn Cart!” Weaving projects in the art room can easily get out of control! Especially when...
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Article

50 Positive Reinforcements for the Art Room

Positive reinforcement is a game changer in the art room. It’s amazing how a positive reinforcement, no matter how small,...
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