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
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  • Assessment
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Faith Ringgold
Article

Faith Ringgold Has a Special Message for YOU!

I recently had the amazing opportunity to sit down and speak with artist Faith Ringgold and ask her a few...
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Article

Don’t Forget This Important Cross-Curricular Connection!

We all know that kids don’t get enough art, but have you ever thought that they don’t get enough music,...
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Article

8 Distractions Every Art Teacher Should Avoid

According to a recent study at the University of California, Irvine, it takes an average of 25 minutes to return...
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Article

AOE LIVE: Episode 18: “Painted Paper, Presentations, and Pedagogy” with Laura Lohmann

Check out AOE Live’s final episode as the guys talk to Laura Lohman, elementary teacher and author of the incredibly...
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Article

How to Homeschool Your Kids with a Full-Time Job

As a teacher, you know your energy can be swallowed up by other people’s children. By the end of the...
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Article

3 Projects Every Art Teacher Tries Once

We’ve all seen these cliché art lessons–the lessons you immediately think of when you think of “art class.” Perhaps you even...
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Article

AOE LIVE: Episode 17: “How to Organize a Party for 4,000 Art Teachers” with NAEA Convention Coordinator Bob Reeker

  Andrew and Tim had a chance to chat with Bob Reeker, the Coordinator of the National Art Education Association’s...
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Article

New Online Studio Drawing Class Announced!

Since the release of AOE’s first two online Studio Classes, Printmaking and Ceramics, the response has been nothing short of...
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Article

How to Decide Which Type of Master’s Degree Is Right for You

I never questioned whether I would get my master’s degree. It was never if but when. Some of my colleagues were in...
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Video

Use Motivational Raffles to Add Enrichment to Art Lessons

If you teach elementary or middle school, you are probably well aware of free choice stations, which are used for...
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Article

AOE LIVE: Episode 16: “The Alchemy of Art: Inspiration and Making Meaning” with Addie Hirschten

  Addie Hirschten, author of The Alchemy of Art, appeared on the show to talk about how we find inspiration...
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Video

Keep Portfolios Secure with One Simple Trick

There are so many ways to send physical portfolios home. Each method has its own drawbacks and perks. Today I...
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