Welcome, First-Year Art Teachers!

We’re so glad you’ve chosen to teach art. As you get to know your students and settle into your classroom, remember—AOE is here to support you. Take a breath, explore our resources, and find what helps you spark creativity and joy in your art room.

Watch the First-Year Art Teacher YouTube Mini-Series

From topics about connecting with students and colleagues to creating art and preventing burnout, find the support you need from a fellow new art teacher. Join Brittney Witt as she shares tons of tips, tricks, and resources to make your first year of teaching art as smooth as possible! Subscribe to AOEU so you don’t miss new content. 

Download Your Free Guide Today

Find the support you need with free lesson plans, professional development videos, articles, and more.


FLEX makes it easy to deliver engaging visual arts instruction that meets your students’ needs.

Access a robust digital library filled with standards-aligned, on-demand instructional materials, available whenever you need them. Utilize scope and sequences in FLEX, curate custom classes or units, or pull individual resources to supplement or refresh the lessons you teach.

PRO is the only on-demand PD platform designed specifically for K–12 visual arts instruction.

With access to in-depth, short-form video tutorials and premium classroom resources, teachers can apply what they learned directly into their classrooms. Plus, PRO provides completion certificates to document learning.

Screen capture of FLEX Curricula library

K-8: Year-long, grade-specific Curricula.
High School: Media-focused units in Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics and Intro to Art to build advanced skills and portfolios.

Year-long content coverage

Ready-to-teach units can be customized with materials from the FLEX library to address diverse classroom needs and goals.

Comprehensive Lesson Plans

All Curricula include a Getting Started section and lesson plans with clear objectives, assessments, and differentiation—providing educators with the tools for success.

Ready to Teach

Simplify your path to districtwide horizontal and vertical alignment with expert-designed content that saves time and effort.

Seamlessly integrated into FLEX

With an intuitive platform, built-in training resources, and a Teacher’s Edition for added support, your team will be ready for success from day one.

The Podcast

Relationship Building Art of Education Magazine & Media

What Do New Teachers Need to Know About Starting the Year? (Episode 1)

Classroom Management Art of Education Magazine & Media

What Do New Teachers Need to Know About Classroom Management? (Episode 2)

Physical Space Art of Education Magazine & Media

What Do New Teachers Need to Know About Organization? (Episode 3)

Curriculum Art of Education Magazine & Media

What Do New Teachers Need to Know About Curriculum? (Episode 4)

Curriculum Art of Education Magazine & Media

What Do New Teachers Need to Know About Professionalism? (Episode 5)

Professional Practice Art of Education Magazine & Media

What Do New Teachers Need to Know About Evaluations? (Episode 6)

Curriculum Art of Education Magazine & Media

What Do New Teachers Need to Know About Assessment? (Episode 7)

Professional Learning Art of Education Magazine & Media

What Do New Teachers Need to Know About Professional Development? (Episode 8)

Discover Innovative Ideas Written by Practicing Art Teachers on the Magazine

Topic
  • All
  • Assessment
  • Classroom Management
  • Curriculum
  • Instructional Strategies
  • News
  • Professionalism
  • Studio Practices
Subtopic
  • All
  • Assessment Design
  • Assessment Implementation
  • Expectations
  • Physical Space
  • Relationship Building
  • Curriculum Approaches
  • Curriculum Design
  • Differentiation
  • Engagement
  • Advocacy
  • Professional Learning
  • Professional Practice
  • Connections
  • Creativity
  • Media & Techniques
yellow lights that spell out we can be heroes just for one day
Article

What Kind of Art Teacher Are You? Redefining Your Art Teacher Identity

Teaching, as we know, is much more than a job; it is a huge piece of who we are. It’s…
Learn More
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Article

How to Be Successful in a New Position

Congratulations on your new role! How exciting, and what a big year ahead. Transitioning into a new position or school…
Learn More
photo courtesy of Katy Torres
Article

10 Things You Need to Know Your First Year Teaching Middle School Art

My mom always says it takes a special person to teach middle schoolers. (She taught middle school, so I’m not sure…
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Article

10 Things You Need to Know Your First Year Teaching Elementary Art

If this is your first year of teaching at the elementary level, you might’ve been inundated with pee pants horror…
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Listen to Advice and Tips from Veteran Art Teachers

Professional Practice Art of Education Magazine & Media

10 Things I Wish I Had Known My First Year (Ep. 028)

Advocacy Art of Education Magazine & Media

Adventures of a First Year Art Teacher (Ep. 029)

Professionalism Art of Education Magazine & Media

5 Things Cooperating Teachers (and Student Teachers) Need to Know (Ep. 089)

Curriculum Design Art of Education Magazine & Media

Exploring the National Standards: Create (Ep. 206)

Professionalism Art of Education Magazine & Media

5 Green Flags to Look for in Job Interviews (Ep. 419)

Classroom Management Art of Education Magazine & Media

Calming the Classroom Chaos (Ep. 207)

Curriculum Design Art of Education Magazine & Media

Exploring the National Standards: Connect (Ep. 208)

Curriculum Design Art of Education Magazine & Media

Exploring the National Standards: Present (Ep. 209)

Media & Techniques Art of Education Magazine & Media

Ideas for Making Art Outdoors (Ep. 233)

Professionalism Art of Education Magazine & Media

Exploring Art Teacher Myths (Ep. 366)

Do You Want More? Look No Further for Ongoing Resources