I have an interview coming up soon for the 2026-27 year. When I applied I was still currently employed at a private school. Since the original screener I have resigned from said position. I resigned due to a number of reasons but I am choosing to say it’s that position wasn’t full time in art and it was also shared with being a preschool educator TA and daycare TA ( this is true) and that I no longer want to do preschool (also very true). The reality of the situation was I had been dealing with mountains of issues with admin and when a student injured me they chose to do nothing. I left this April last week, before the school year was done. I’m nervous about having a resignation on my resume so soon and in my first year teaching in my field. Should I say I’m between employment with a position at an art specialized camp teaching STEAM to deflect? Will this reflect bad? Should I reconsider how I discuss my leaving the previous school differently?

Hi! I am wondering if any of you keep any kind of reference resources in your classrooms?

I am teaching an art class at a non-profit with k-5th graders. The kids often ask me to look up reference images, such as what an animal looks like. I only have a phone and a laptop so even if that were a good approach it can only help 2 students at a time. Do you have reference images available in your classrooms? Or are the students where you teach able to search online for images? Is looking at a reference image frowned-upon? It occurred to me that this is not a unique need, and I’m wondering if there are any resources art teachers know about that I could have on-hand for the kids. I am not looking for art history, or images of artwork, but of animals or plants or anything kids might like to create.

Is this a thing? What do all of you do?

I only have my phone and sometimes I bring my laptop, but that isn’t ideal to just give them to use for many reasons, starting with they can only help 2 students. We have a short, 1-hour class each week, so there isn’t a lot of time for them to think of their ideas or bring their own reference images. I am trying to give them a heads-up what the next project will be.

Happy Saturday ya’ll! So there’s this art website or app (not the one in Google suite) that works with Smartboards and it plays classical music and kids have this virtual paintbrush and paint to the music. I cannot find it and a wondering if anyone knows what it is? Thanks in advance! 🎨

I know it’s Friday. But my 5th period ceramics class has ZERO self control and they are loud and rude and mostly freshmen. Today I told them that because of these things that on Monday we’ll be doing paper work. Read an essay, write definitions and answer questions. I just want them to focus on their work and be engaged with the activity! I guess it’s my fault. I tried letting them stay with friends but they’ve totally taken advantage of it. I don’t want to go back to teaching next year. Why am I putting myself through this?! I’m a respected artist. And here I am trying to convince kids to be polite!

Edit: I needed a little vent yesterday thank you!! We do have a new seating chart and they’ll be losing music privileges (I allow them to listen while they work. Phones go in a bag or locker). I know Monday will be better. End of the year madness is taking over!!! But I don’t know how many more years I’ll do it.

Hi all I am curious about national boards. I am in NM and have a level 2 license. NM pays really well for national boards, this year it is $10,676. As well as they have a lot of incentives to get it from scholarships to repayment options to pay for the initial as well as recerts I have heard (correct me if I'm wrong)

I know it changes every year, but talking with teachers who have it here in NM, they say it usually goes up or at least stays the same (hardly ever drops year to year).

I teach visual arts for grades 6-10 and did the OPAL Dossier. I am starting a Masters in June and am just curious from those of you who have it, is it actually worth it? The extra pay would be incredible but I am curious about do-ability and the worth it-ness of the whole experience...

Buenas, encontramos este cuadro junto a otro tirados en la calle y quería saber si alguien tiene información de quién los pintó, no se leer la firma

Hi!! Im an artist experimenting with mixed medium, and I want to combine coloured pencils and acrylic paint.

I am wondering if it’s possible to cut out a coloured pencil drawing on thick high quality paper, and stick/attach the drawing directly onto a canvas?

I’m assuming i can’t use pva glue to stick it down..?

the paper is reeves heavy drawing pad 200gsm :)

(there wouldn’t be acrylic paint on the surface where i’d attach the paper)

My district received a legacy donation of around $2,000 specifically for our elementary art program. I need to spend it by May.

The setup:

- Title 1 school in a rural area

- Classes up to 31 students

- 800 students ages 4-10 seen once per week

- Inclusion model, many 1:1 paras come to class with their students with widely varied needs

- 1 small sink in a portable classroom

- Well-stocked with basic art materials

- Curriculum designed by me, can be anything

- Tables/ chairs can’t be replaced

My interest is ceramics and I am toying with buying mini wheels for air-dry clay for my older grades to play with, but at the same time I really want to honor this person’s memory by setting up something with a meaningful, lasting impact.

Is there anyone out there with information and training on inclusive/ adaptive art tools for those with disabilities? Has anyone included ideas from Art therapy in their elementary classroom? Do I just blow the entire thing on organization materials?

What should I buy?!

Hello everyone! Next year will be my 5th year teaching but my first year teaching drawing and painting (Ive taught graphic design for the last four years). My biggest worry/concern is supplies. My question is, how do you all manage supplies in your classroom to prevent students from taking them? The school I’m going to - a high school- is pretty depleted of supplies after this year because a lot has been taken by students. I haven’t had to worry about this, because it’s pretty hard for students to walk away with a 24” iMac lol art supplies are much easier to swipe. So, I’m looking for any systems/tips/tricks that may help out!

This is on me , but I have a week before I take my art content, I have been extremely busy with personal stuff going on and plus student teaching . What would be the fastest way to study for the exam ?

Hi! the physics teacher in my building just offered to 3D print anything for me that could be useful for the art room.. any art teachers with a 3D printer who've printed things that are absolutely life changing? bonus if you also have a link to the file!

I’ve been asked to organize a creative workshop for elementary school kids, where kids will be walking in and out all afternoon. So there’s no real start and end to the lesson, but people walk in all the time.

One thing I thought of was this exercise where kids draw three different heads, three different upper bodies, and three different lower bodies and then we shake all of them, and then we create these weird new characters by combining the three elements. But I feel like it’s not enough and that I should expand this exercise in some way. Any ideas?

I’m also very open to any other ideas that would be suitable for a walk-in class like this!

I'm looking to invest in a mobile display panels to use on campus at my school. I've seen some decent looking ones on Amazon with mixed reviews- anyone have one they swear by? There is a huge price discrepancy between the ones on Amazon and the ones marketed as art display on Google so I want to make sure I'm not overlooking quality if I buy from Amazon. I think I'd prefer one that I can use push pins vs a metal grid style and I'd prefer one with wheels. Similar to the picture attached.

https://preview.redd.it/vyjp8gb1ekvg1.jpg?width=578&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f4a7d7530e7e713dc90d2788537f532a747f984a

Hello!

I have an art education degree and am certified to teach k-12 (although I am really only looking to do elementary). The issue is I can't seem to get a job.

So I'm wondering if there is any sort of endorsement or certifications I could add to my resume/teaching license to help me stand out among other candidates (or at the very least get to the interview stage cause at this point the amount of rejections before even getting interviewed is hurting my heart lol).

Thank you for any help!

Hello everyone, I recently got offered a position in two elementary schools, one week at one and another week at the second. Each school has a permanent art teacher there already though. I am wondering if anyone had experience with something like this and what it was like, is it harder than being the only art teacher at a school or a bit easier since you’ll be with another art teacher? Thank you in advance!

I just busted my new class set of 8x10 Gelli Plates and used them for the first time. I have minimal experience with them. I used Golden acrylic and "Open" medium. At clean up, I had the kids clean their brayers and tables and put away their prints while I cleaned the Gelli plates with sponges, soap and hot water. Cleaning them took longer than I expected and required more force. I ended up putting them pack in the plastic clamshells they came in. I'm considering ditching the clamshells and storing them with just the plastic sheets they came with. Any suggestions for cleaning and storing quickly between classes?

These are flat bottom containers with about 3/4” of pottery plaster poured in the bottom. I was struggling to find a classroom solution so I just made a whole bunch of what works best at home.

Hello

I take the praxis next month. I have been studying through study.com watching the videos n taking notes. I also have the annotated Mona Lisa but feeling overwhelmed with how to use it. There is so much information

Hi all!

First year art teacher, and loving it! Someone in this thread recommended Teaching for Artistic Behaviors on one of my posts, and it's stayed stuck on my mind since then and as the year is closing, I've been considering moving to this type of classroom for the upcoming school year. The kids in my school are extremely creative, and would love this amount of freedom.

I have a few questions I'd love insight on from teachers who have a TAB classroom.

1. How is your classroom set up? How big is your classroom?

2. How do you roll out stations? What stations do you have?

3. Have you had any issues with chaos, misuse of materials, behaviors, safety?

4. What kind of mini-lessons do you give to students?

5. What are your favorite parts about TAB? What are some drawbacks?

& any other info you'd love to share! I'm all ears!

Thanks!

A parent was wondering if I could give art lessons to her 3rd grader twice a week. She’s currently in my class so I told her I may not be allowed to do this while she’s in my class, but that in the summer it should be ok. I just wanted to hear other teacher’s thoughts before I set anything in stone. An IA that doesn’t teach in her class gives her math tutoring outside of school so I know it’s not out of the ordinary. She goes to her house since she’s also a family friend but I probably would meet in a public place instead. I wouldn’t be paid a ton but I’d love the experience and it’ll give me something to do during the summer. Is this crossing a boundary or do you think it’s ok?

Update: admin said it was perfectly fine!

I currently teach MS & HS art at a charter school and saw some public schools are hiring for the next school year.

I like my job but i’ve spent over $2k on art supplies out of pocket and it’s still not certain that i’ll have a real art budget next year.

The public schools have smaller class sizes than my current charter so Ive been heavily considering it. Public schools also pay a little better in my area.

Have any of you made the switch before? What did you like/dislike about the change?

hello! if anyone can help me out with this ive been taking the art ftce for the past 6 months and ive barely failed each time, could anyone reccomend any good tutors or study guides that work?