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

AOE LIVE: Episode 15: “Growing Your PLN, One Chat at a Time” with Laura and Matt Grundler

  Matt and Laura Grundler, the team behind Twitter’s incredible K-12 Art Chat, were on the show for an exciting...
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Article

How to Craft the Perfect Recess Survival Kit

If you live in a cooler climate, you may already notice the temps dipping. If you are like many art teachers,...
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Article

4 Skills Art Students SHOULD Know but Often Don’t

It always amazed me when 4th-graders would walk into my room for a weaving unit and most of them would...
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Article

AOE LIVE: Episode 14: “Turning Small Projects Into Big Movements” with Nic Hahn

Art Teaching Superstar Nic Hahn, an elementary teacher from Minnesota, stopped by the show to offer up her expertise on...
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Article

3 Lessons to Revisit From Your College Years

On a recent trip, I had the chance to tour the art department of a local college. Being in this...
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Article

How to Have More Meaningful Student Conversations Starting Today!

Has this ever happened to you? You’re speeding through another art class: managing behaviors, helping with spills, prepping supplies, and...
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Article

AOE LIVE: Episode 13: “Taming the Grading Game” with Sarah Dougherty

  Sarah Dougherty, Visual Arts Curriculum Coordinator and Turnaround Arts Program Coordinator for the Des Moines Public Schools, dropped in...
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Article

5 Ways to Keep Your Batteries Charged All Week Long

When I heard about the new book titled Are you Fully Charged? by author Tom Rath and the accompanying children’s book, The...
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Article

Introducing: AOE Studio Classes!

    If you’re like most art teachers, you probably sat in your undergrad studio classes as one of the...
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Article

New Online Studio Class: Ceramics for Art Teachers!

Today we are excited to announce a brand new AOE class — Studio: Ceramics!     We all remember our ceramics...
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Article

New Online Studio Class: Printmaking for Art Teachers!

Today we are excited to announce a brand new AOE class — Studio: Printmaking! If you are getting an MFA in...
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Article

4 Reasons Why DBAE Isn’t Dead

Many of us remember when DBAE ruled the art ed world, with good reason. It was a movement that gave...
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