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Art Ed Radio

The Art of Education

A fun and energetic look at the world of art education.

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Tuesday · 40 min
The September Mailbag: Successful Portfolios, Meaningful Units, and Connected Art Rooms
In this episode of the mailbag, host Tim Bogatz is joined by high school art teacher Jenn Russell--subbing in for Amanda--for a wide-ranging conversation with listener questions about everything happening in the world of art teaching. Tim and Jenn share practical strategies for helping AP students understand portfolio scoring, stretching a limited supply budget, and making reflection feel like a natural part of the creative process. The conversation also explores how to structure longer, more meaningful units without losing students, what to do when students fall behind, and how solo art teachers can build stronger relationships with colleagues. Along the way, Tim and Jenn discuss student-friendly rubrics, recycled materials, handmade sketchbooks, school culture, and so much more. Resources and Links Find the September Advocacy giveaway in the Community! Learn more about the Art Ed NOW Conference! Unlocking the Secrets of AP Art How to Reveal the Creative Process Through Reflection How to Teach Self-Reflection, Critiques, Artist Statements, and Curatorial Rationales Like a Pro How to Build a Better Art Portfolio with Your Students
August 25 · 22 min
Why Every Program Needs an Art Hall of Fame
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz talks with Trevor Brockhaus, a high school art teacher from Bellevue, Nebraska, about creating an Art Hall of Fame. Trevor shares how his program recognizes one outstanding senior each year, displays that student's artwork in the art room, and celebrates student achievements throughout the school. They discuss how art shows, awards, and visible recognition can help students understand that their work matters. Trevor and Tim also explore how an Art Hall of Fame can build a culture of excellence, inspire younger students, and serve as a powerful advocacy tool for the entire art program. Trevor offers practical advice for teachers who want to begin recognizing students but may not know where to start, including developing a simple scoring rubric, looking at how other school programs celebrate achievement, and finding meaningful ways to honor both accomplishment and growth. Resources and Links Learn more about the Art Ed NOW Conference! Come join the Art of Ed Community! Browse the Art Ed Radio archives 12 Projects for a Great Art Show 6 Ways to Partner With the Community for a Successful School Art Show 5 Reasons For and Against Putting on an Art Show Advocating for Art Education
August 18 · 44 min
Overrated Artists, Underrated Artists, and AP Art History
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz welcomes back high school art teacher Jenn Russell for an honest and entertaining conversation about teaching art history. Tim and Jenn discuss why art history works best when it is taught as a connected story full of drama, influence, cultural context, and unexpected twists. They also share their lists of overrated artists, as well as their lists of underrated artists who deserve a little more attention and respect. Jenn also shares her strategies for teaching AP Art History, connecting artworks to contemporary culture, and helping students move from memorable stories and strong reactions to thoughtful analysis. Full episode transcript below. Resources and Links Learn more about the Art Ed NOW Conference! Come join the Art of Ed Community! Browse the Art Ed Radio archives 12 Ideas to Help Students Engage with Art History But, Art History Is Boring! How to Bring Life to the Past and Present 7 Contemporary Artists Who Bring Art History to Life in the Classroom
August 11 · 26 min
Help! I'm Scared of Technology
Starting a new school year can be challenging enough without a dozen new platforms, devices, and passwords waiting for you on day one. In this episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz talks with Jen Leban about helping new art teachers move through technology anxiety with practical, manageable strategies. Jen explains why your LMS is the best place to start, how to think about some technology as tools rather than separate problems, and why digital portfolios can wait until later in the school year. Tim and Jen also discuss how to reframe technology from a "have to" into a "get to," when creative digital tools can add something meaningful to student artwork, and why teachers should feel comfortable saying, "I don't know--let's figure it out together." With ideas about exploring technology and support for those struggling with devices and expectations, this conversation offers encouragement and concrete advice for all of the art teachers who are feeling overwhelmed by classroom technology. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Finding and Utilizing Creative Digital Tools Utilizing Digital Portfolios
August 4 · 38 min
The August Mailbag: Gen Z Teachers, Cardboard Questions, and Back-to-School Hacks
Should teachers be expected to work for free? What do you do with a pile of leftover cardboard? And which artist would you quietly leave out of your curriculum? In the August Mailbag, Art Ed Radio host Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn, AOEU's Director of Community Engagement, to tackle listener questions that are right on time for the start of the school year. They dig into the growing conversation around Gen Z teachers refusing unpaid labor--and why the system, not the teachers, is the real problem--plus give practical, honest advice to a first-year teacher drowning in cardboard boxes. Finally, they both weigh in on which artists they might quietly skip (Jackson Pollock, anyone?), why taking students outside during the first week of school is probably a hard no, and their favorite art room storage hacks for getting organized before students arrive. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Check out the Art Ed NOW Conference An Art Teacher's Love Letter to Cardboard See all of AOE's Art Room Hacks
July 28 · 27 min
2026 Summer Art Ed NOW Conference Preview
The Art Ed Now Conference is just around the corner, and Art Ed Radio host Tim Bogatz is kicking things off with a special live-recorded episode straight from the Art of Ed Community. He's joined by community host Jen Leban to preview everything happening at this year's conference, from the Friday Kickoff to a full weekend of sessions designed to inspire, equip, and energize everyone as you head back to the classroom this fall. Tim and Jen share their most-anticipated sessions and the can't-miss featured presentation from artist and illustrator Oliver Jeffers (The Day the Crayons Quit). This episode is the perfect conversation to set you up for the conference this weekend! Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Check out the Art Ed NOW Conference Back to School Resources for Art Teachers Learn more about FLEX and PRO Take a look at Oliver Jeffers' website
July 21 · 38 min
More Hot Takes for the Summer
It's that time of year again — the Art Ed Radio Hot Takes episode is back! Host Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn for their second annual deep dive into the art education opinions that spark debate, clarify thinking, and maybe make a few people a little salty. With strong opinions from the Art of Ed Community, Tim and Amanda react to hot takes on everything from whether markers deserve a place in the art room, to whether paint-and-sip counts as real art, to the case for a little bit of cookie cutter art in your curriculum. Whether you agree, disagree, or land somewhere in the middle, this episode is guaranteed to get you thinking (and maybe shouting at your podcast app). Come for the hot takes, stay for the conversation! Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Check out the Art Ed NOW Conference Reflections on Grading with Janet Taylor How to Assess Your Own Grading Practices
July 14 · 35 min
Why Art is the Most Important Class
On this episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz sits down with high school art teacher Chris Hodge, who brings nearly 25 years of classroom experience and a myriad of insights. Hodge shares the teaching philosophy at the heart of everything he does: giving students meaningful choice and nurturing genuine curiosity. He opens up about his lifelong relationship with artmaking and his dedication to continuing to create. Tim and Hodge also dig into the realities of maintaining a personal art practice while teaching full-time (including late-night drawing sessions). Hodge shares practical strategies for working through creative blocks, and explains how the permanence of ink has taught him resilience both in the studio and in life. The episode wraps with a preview of Chris's upcoming Art Ed NOW Conference presentation, where he'll make the case that art is the most important class, arguing that the creative thinking art builds is foundational to success in every other discipline. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Check out the Art Ed NOW Conference Follow Hodge on Instagram How I Tricked Myself Into Making Art Again The Power of Creative Play for Art Teachers
July 7 · 51 min
The July Mailbag: Inspiring Supplies, Summer Doomscrolling, and Setting Boundaries
It's time, once again, to open up the mailbag! In this monthly Q&A episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn, to answer your most pressing questions about the world of art education. This month's topics run the gamut: from a quest for new art supplies to thoughtful questions about navigating the first year of teaching—including how to work with administrators, build community with colleagues, and protect your work-life balance. Tim and Amanda also tackle the summer curriculum planning struggle, weigh in on whether summer sketchbook challenges are actually worth assigning, and dig into a big question about social media: is it ultimately good or bad for art teachers? Enjoy this episode? Subscribe to Art Ed Radio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Have a question for a future mailbag? We'd love to hear from you--leave us a voicemail at (515) 209-2595! Resources and Links First-Year Art Teacher's Guide – The Art of Education University 15 Fun Art Supplies to Try Out This Summer Jumpstart Your Creativity: Easy Mini Art Practices for This Summer Join the AOEU Community – Free at community.artofeducation.edu Art Ed Now Conference – Register at theartofeducation.edu/now
June 30 · 27 min
Creating Time for Creating Art
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz is joined by returning guest Sarah Krajewski, a self-described "multipotentialite" and all-around amazing educator. Sarah talks about how art helps her connect to her own sense of purpose and joy, and the benefits that come with consistent artmaking. She shares her concept of "joy sketches" as an accessible, low-pressure way for any teacher to keep making art, even on the busiest or most exhausting of days. Tim and Sarah also dig into the real barriers that get between art teachers and their own creativity: not just time, but energy. Sarah offers practical, encouraging strategies--from keeping art supplies visible and within reach to hosting "coexisting craft nights" with friends--that make creative habits easier to start and sustain. Full episode transcript below. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community! Check out the Art Ed NOW Conference Dear Art Teacher, You Deserve to Be the Artist Too! 5 Ways to Encourage Creative Flow Jumpstart Your Creativity: Easy Mini Art Practices to Try This Summer Build a Creative Practice That Sticks By Harnessing the 4 Laws of Atomic Habits Emilie Wapnick: "Why Some of Us Don't Have One True Calling" (if you're a multipotentialite)
June 23 · 23 min
Making the Most of Your Summer
Summer is here, and Art Ed Radio host Tim Bogatz sits down with K–8 art teacher Jessica Stuver to talk about what teachers really need when the school year ends. Jessica reflects on wrapping up her 15th year of teaching while also being real about the exhaustion that comes with the territory. She and Tim dig into the question every educator faces: is there pressure to have a "productive" summer, and how do you balance true rest with the pull to keep working? Whether you're the type to go-go-go or finally give yourself permission to slow down, Jessica's honest perspective on summer restoration will resonate with any art teacher navigating the post-school-year crash. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Check out the Art Ed NOW Conference Make This Summer Count: 4 Ways to Learn, Grow, and Avoid Teacher Burnout Follow Jessica on Instagram See Jessica on AOE's Framed YouTube series
June 16 · 26 min
Where Do You Discover New Artists?
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz sits down with Kelly Hatton, curriculum designer for FLEX and PRO at The Art of Education, and they dive into the wonderful world of teaching art history. Kelly opens up about how she went from relying on whatever art prints were left in the supply closet to intentionally curating her artistic awareness through museum memberships, artist talks, and a carefully cultivated Instagram feed. She also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the team at AOE decides which artist bios to develop for FLEX, from responding to what teachers are actively searching for, to ensuring broad geographic and cultural representation across the platform. Tim and Kelly dig into one of the most important questions in art education: how do you balance historical and contemporary artists in your curriculum? Kelly's answer is refreshingly clear--you don't have to choose. She makes a compelling case for pairing artists across time, asking critical questions about who has been left out of the historical canon, and keeping the conversation alive for students by connecting them with living artists they can actually follow and engage with. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Fresh Artists and Engaging Ways to Bring Them to Your Students 7 Contemporary Artists that Bring Art History to Life Artists Merging Past and Present Check out FLEX's Artist Bios Local Art Investigators (FLEX Lesson Plan)
June 9 · 34 min
Austin Kleon and His New Book, Don't Call it Art
On this week's Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz sits down with bestselling author Austin Kleon! Austin is a writer, artist, and creative thinker behind Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, and Keep Going, and his brand-new book, Don't Call It Art: 10 Ways to Create Like a Kid Again, is out now. In this episode, Austin unpacks his deceptively simple "algebraic equation" for unlocking creative play (time + space + materials = play) and explains why losing even one of those elements is enough to make any artist feel stuck. He and Tim also explore how to fight perfectionism, why copying is actually a natural and powerful stage of creative development, and how blind contour drawings, printmaking, and collaboration can all serve as tools to silence your inner critic. For art teachers heading into summer, this conversation is essential listening. Austin and Tim discuss the power of becoming a "curious elder", approaching what your students love with genuine curiosity, not judgment, and why that openness can unlock new ideas in your own practice. Austin also shares thequestion he believes every creative person should ask themselves, makes the case for 15-minute daily habits over long uninterrupted blocks of time, and offers practical, liberating advice for teachers who want to reconnect with the artist inside them. Resources and Links Check out AustinKleon.com and his Free Friday Newsletter Learn more about the new book, Don't Call It Art Tiny Acts, Big Impacts: The Power of Creative Play for Art Teachers Dear Art Teacher, You Deserve to Be the Artist Too! 4 Summer Books to Help Art Teachers Fuel Their Creative Process Four Ways to Steal Like an Art Teacher Come join the Art of Ed Community!
June 2 · 40 min
The June Mailbag: Differentiation, Creative Ruts, and Students Who Keep You Guessing
Welcome to the June mailbag episode of Art Ed Radio! Host Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn, AOE's Director of Community Engagement, to dive into listener questions that are hitting close to home for art teachers heading into summer. From navigating classrooms with wildly different skill levels to making the case to administration that your booming ceramics program needs more support, it's a fun and interesting conversation. They also tackle the difference between burnout and creative stagnation, why that distinction matters, as well as suggestions for working with talented students who just don't care. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! 4 Ways to Differentiate in the Art Classroom 8 Things to Do When Teaching Is Taking a Toll on You Learn more about (and register for!) the Art Ed NOW Conference Advocating for Art Education (Ep. 443)
May 26 · 22 min
From the Archives: Can We Find Time to Balance Everything?
In today's episode, Tim is joined by elementary art teacher Laura Irmis to discuss if and how we can find the time to do everything that is expected of us as art teachers. Laura shares how she is making it work as a teacher, artist, mother, and graduate student. She also tells the story of how she got into clay, how her practice has evolved, and why her excitement can't help but to spill over into the classroom. Tim and Laura also dig into the real challenge of maintaining a creative practice when life is full. Laura opens up about what it takes to juggle family, teaching, her ceramics work, and her graduate studies at the Art of Education University--and she's refreshingly honest about the sacrifices required. Her advice is simple and actionable, and you will want to give it a listen! Resources and Links Listen to the Everyday Art Room episode on Creating Time for Yourself 12 Ways to Balance Teaching Art and Creating Art Take a look at the Studio: Painting-Watercolor course See all of AOEU's Graduate Courses Check out Laura's Ceramics Website and follow her on Instagram
May 19 · 27 min
How Resilience and Choice Can Transform Your Art Room
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim Bogatz sits down with Melissa Birnbaum, a New York City art teacher and chair of the NYC chapter of the New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA). Melissa teaches at an international high school in the Bronx where 100% of her students are American newcomers and native Spanish speakers--many of whom have never had an art lesson in their lives. She shares how she designs her choice-based art room to meet students exactly where they are, using sketchbook journals, materials play, and a scaffolded approach that builds foundational skills while honoring each student's creative instincts and lived experience. Tim and Melissa also dig deep into one of the most meaningful topics in art education: resilience. Melissa explains what resilience actually looks like in her classroom, and what she learns from her students. She talks about the power of "confidence coaching," normalizing failure, and why loving your students is the most effective classroom management strategy there is. Resources and Links Building Student Resiliency Skills: 9 Ways to Nurture the Ability to Thrive in Adversity Failure-Friendly Art Rooms: How to Redefine Mistakes as Learning What You Need to Know About ELLs in the Art Room 6 Ways the Visual Arts Promotes Resilient Learners for Life
May 12 · 31 min
Burnout, Boundaries, and Finding Your Purpose with Tiffany Fox
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz sits down with Tiffany Fox — veteran art educator, curriculum creator, and author — for an honest conversation about what it really means to be an art teacher today. She and Tim dig into what makes the art room unique, and why teaching is a real emotional weight that most people outside of education will never fully understand. They also dive into teacher burnout: where it comes from, why it's getting worse, and what teachers can actually do about it. Tiffany shares practical, realistic strategies for protecting your time, your health, and your sense of purpose, along with reflections from her new book, Rooted and Refreshed: A 90-Day Devotional for Teachers. Resources and Links Rooted and Refreshed: A 90-Day Devotional for Teachers Find Tiffany on Instagram and TPT Self-Care for the Art Teacher 10 Supportive Ways an Art Teacher Can Cope with Burnout
May 5 · 42 min
The May Mailbag: Student Frustration, Classroom Cleanup, and End-of-Year Sanity
It's the first Tuesday of May, which means it's time for the Art Ed Radio Mailbag! Host Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn for a jam-packed episode full of practical advice and a few laughs along the way. This month's mailbag covers some of the most common challenges art teachers face as the school year winds down. Tim and Amanda tackle how to support students who get frustrated when their work doesn't match their vision, how to teach and maintain effective cleanup routines for paint and clay, end-of-year survival tips for first-year teachers, and how to keep your classroom culture strong without losing structure as spring fever sets in. They also answer a question from a brand-new high school art teacher starting a program from scratch, with plenty of creative supply suggestions. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community and find the May Giveaways! 40 End of the Year Cleanup Jobs for Your Students 7 End of the Year Checklists for the Art Room A Complete List of Supplies for Your New Art Room
April 28 · 27 min
Bananas, Bosch, and Beyond: The Funniest Artworks in Art History
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim is joined by Kyle Wood, art teacher and host of the Who ARTed? podcast, for a fun romp through some of art history's funniest, strangest, and most surprisingly hilarious works. They dig into the surreal nightmare world of Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights, the dry conceptual wit of René Magritte, and the internet-breaking audacity of Maurizio Cattelan's Comedian (aka the duct-taped banana) along with a detour through Renaissance babies with male pattern baldness and Salvador Dalí's near-death by diving helmet. Whether you're an art teacher looking to bring more humor into your classroom or just a fellow appreciator of the wonderfully weird, this episode is a perfect reminder that art history is both stranger and funnier than you might think. This month at The Art of Education, we're leaning into laughter, and there's no better place to start than right here. Resources and Links Join the Art of Ed Community Kyle's Podcasts: Who Arted? and Fun Facts Daily Ugly Renaissance Babies 772-ASK-DALI Duane Hanson's The Tourists Who Arted? with Tim on Maurizio Cattelan Learn About Nat Tate The Art of Ed's articles, podcasts, and resources on humor
April 21 · 25 min
From the Archives: Using Humor to Deal with Student Immaturity
In this episode from the Art Ed Radio archives, Tim and former co-host Andrew begin by sharing some memorable stories of how student immaturity has reared its head in their classrooms. You won't want to miss Andrew's epic story about his magical powers, after which they discuss tips and tricks to deal with or circumvent immature and offensive behavior. And finally coming full circle, Tim and Andrew discuss ways that masterful teachers can navigate and even leverage immaturity into teachable moments to build a healthy classroom environment and strengthen rapport. Resources and Links Join the Discussions in The Art of Ed Community Why Art Rooms Need More Play and Creativity Laugh as a Class with These Art Room Games Make Students Laugh with These Funny Art History Stories!

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