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
  • All
  • Article
  • Podcast
  • Video
Topic
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  • Assessment
  • Classroom Management
  • Curriculum
  • Instructional Strategies
  • News
  • Professionalism
  • Studio Practices
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  • Assessment Design
  • Assessment Implementation
  • Expectations
  • Physical Space
  • Relationship Building
  • Curriculum Approaches
  • Curriculum Design
  • Differentiation
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  • Professional Learning
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  • Connections
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  • Media & Techniques
Article

How to Cope With Your Art Room Organization Style

Do you know an art teacher who has a room that appears to be a total mess but somehow she...
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Article

Help! I’m the Only Art Teacher in my PLC!

The start of a new school year means the start of new Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for many of us....
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Article

Become More Visible This Year at Parent Teacher Conferences!

With parent-teacher conferences on the horizon, you may be gearing up for another long evening of sitting in your art...
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Article

AOE LIVE: Episode 12: “Art Teachers and the Creative Revolution” with Cindy Foley

  AOE Live is back with Cindy Foley, Executive Assistant Director and Director of Learning and Experience at the Columbus...
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Article

Gaining the Confidence to Lead Your Art Department

  You’re the leader of your art department. Now what?   Maybe it was a coveted position you interviewed for...
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Article

Back-to-School Ideas for The Art Room

Whether you’re entering your first year or your thirtieth, there’s always something new to learn. It’s what makes teaching so...
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Article

AOE LIVE: Episode 11: “Secrets of Back-to-School Success” with Janine Campbell

  Janine Campbell, an amazing middle level educator from Michigan whose classroom has won awards for STEAM education, student artwork,...
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Article

Have You Ever Taken One of These Art Teacher Shortcuts?

    Right now, the glue is fresh, the cupboards are (somewhat) organized, your curriculum is outlined, and the floor...
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Article

50 Classroom Management Ideas That Just Might Work!

After the first few weeks of school, you might notice students testing you more and more. The freshness of the...
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Article

It’s Normal to Feel Torn Between School and Home

During the first few weeks of school, you’re likely running on pure adrenaline. It’s good to be back into a...
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Article

A Complete List of Supplies for Your New Art Room

In the article Opening a New Art Room: An Art Teacher’s Cheat Sheet with K-5 Art Educator Allison Krook, we discussed everything...
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Article

Opening a New Art Room: An Art Teacher’s Cheat Sheet

Allison Krook is a K-5 art teacher in a large, growing school district in the Midwest. Because of the rapid...
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