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

Debunking the 2 Most Common Myths About Flipped Teaching

Think you have too many obstacles to overcome in order to flip your classroom? Think again. When we released our...
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Article

5 Ways to Cope With Feeling Overwhelmed

Talk to any educator and you often hear the word overwhelmed. Why? Put simply, we’re busy! When things get stressful at...
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Article

3 Key Lessons I’ve Learned From My Students

Before I started teaching for AOE, I had a lot of preconceived notions about what it would be like. I...
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Article

AOE LIVE: Episode 5: “3 Keys to Take Your Teaching to the Next Level” with the excellent Mr. E

  Ted Edinger of “Art With Mr. E” fame stops by the show to talk with the guys about all...
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Video

Get Your Students to Listen with the “When-Then’ Technique

By the end of the year, students are immune to the sound of your voice. Getting them to listen to...
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Article

Why Ordering Paintbrushes With Plastic Handles Is a Smart Idea

I’ve personally had bad luck with wooden-handled paintbrushes. I have nothing against them. It is partly my fault — I...
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Article

6 Secrets to Affording Professional Development on a Teacher’s Budget

  For many teachers, it’s the thrill of helping children learn, not the paycheck, that leads them to the profession. While...
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Article

20 Practical SLO Ideas for Busy Art Teachers

As I sat down to read one of our favorite books, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday, to my daughter...
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Article

Get More Done With the Layering Technique

Layering is a technique you can use to get two things done at once, but it’s much better than multitasking....
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Article

AOE LIVE: Episode 4: Making it Work with Cassie Stephens: Talking Passion and Fashion with The World’s Best Dressed Art Teacher

  Art Teacher, Blogger, and Fashion Inspiration Cassie Stephens stops in to AOE LIVE to talk about her fashion creations, her...
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Article

Follow AOE on Instagram!

Did you know you can now follow AOE on Instagram!? We’ve received lots of fun notes and questions from people...
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Video

Be the Teacher You’d Want to Meet

It’s likely you will be encountering many parents, colleagues, new hires, and community members during the last month of school....
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