Recorded live at the Illinois Art Education Association Conference, Tim Bogatz and Amanda Heyn dive into the November Mailbag to answer the audience's best questions! They tackle how to avoid the internet rabbit hole when planning lessons, ways to design meaningful projects with very limited class time, and how to help middle schoolers generate their own ideas through scaffolding, choice within boundaries, and celebration of creative risk-taking.
Along the way, they connect these topics back to the power of community—online and in person—and even weigh in on the great Halloween candy debate (Snickers? Baby Ruth? Smarties…really?). It’s an energetic, audience-driven episode filled with important discussions and concrete strategies you can use in your classroom immediately.
In part two of this special fiction-meets-art-history podcast, you’ll step into the MoMA after hours, where a professional development retreat turns into something much more sinister. What begins as an inspiring evening quickly spirals into chaos when Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory disappears.
The Dalí is gone. The suspects are gathered. And the detectives are running out of time.
In the shocking conclusion to An Art History Mystery, our five art teachers—Delilah, Solomon, Madison, Amber, and Robert—return to the Museum of Modern Art for questioning. As the night deepens, stories twist, motives unravel, and the truth finally surfaces.
Who had the means? Who had the motive? And who had the opportunity to steal one of the most iconic paintings in modern art?
Listen as Detectives Kelly and Forrest piece together the clues in a finale filled with confessions, contradictions, and the ultimate reveal of the thief behind The Persistence of Memory.
Was it an act of obsession, ambition, or art itself?
Find out in this second and final episode of An Art History Mystery.
A locked museum. Five eccentric art teachers. One missing Salvador Dalí masterpiece.
In this special fiction-meets-art-history podcast, you’ll step into the MoMA after hours, where a professional development retreat turns into something much more sinister. What begins as an inspiring evening quickly spirals into chaos when Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory disappears.
Each teacher has their quirks, secrets, and possible motives:
Delilah Rose – the bubbly Ms. Frizzle of the art room, all glitter glue and good intentions… but is she too innocent?
Solomon Ochre – the arrogant competitor, desperate to showcase his talent and prove his importance.
Amber Russell – indifferent, sarcastic, observant, and maybe secretly brilliant.
Madison Periwinkle – the "artfluencer", livestreaming for clout and sharing her entire teaching experience.
Robert Celadon – the old school purist, obsessed with tradition, forgery, and art history.
When the painting vanishes, suspicion falls on them all. With quirky detectives, unreliable security, and tangled motives, this is more than a PD event—it’s a full-blown art heist mystery.
Listen now to experience a story blending art history, teaching art, and true-crime-style suspense.
Can you solve the mystery before the detectives do?
In this episode from the archives of Art Ed Radio, Tim Bogatz is joined by author and assessment expert Katie White to explore how thoughtful assessment practices can nurture a culture of creativity in the art room.
Katie shares insights from her decades in education and explains how assessment, when reimagined, can become a powerful tool for decision-making, reflection, and growth. Together, they discuss how to create safe spaces for risk-taking, why delaying criteria setting can spark deeper exploration, and how observation and conversation are just as valid as portfolios or rubrics.
Whether you’re just beginning to think about assessment or looking for new strategies to integrate it into your creative classroom, this conversation is full of practical advice and fresh perspectives.
Tim Bogatz and Amanda Heyn are back this week with the Art Ed Radio October Mailbag! After a few updates on everything happening in the Art of Ed Community, they dive into a variety of listener questions. Listen as they discuss the best lessons for your observations, their favorite strategies for sub tubs, and ideas on how to get middle schoolers engaged, plus offer some advice on what to do if your painting lesson isn't quite going how you hoped.
In today's episode of Art Ed Radio, Brooke Morse joins Tim and shares her journey in art education, discussing her teaching philosophy, curriculum development, and the balance between structure and student choice in the classroom. She emphasizes the importance of artist statements, self-reflection, and the role of art as a means of personal expression and community connection. Brooke also offers valuable insights and advice for educators looking to implement TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) in their classrooms.
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim sits down with Liz Byron-Loya—art teacher, author, and advocate for Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—to explore how UDL transforms the visual arts classroom. Together, they break down the core principles of UDL, strategies for removing barriers to learning, and ways to better engage every student.
Liz also shares insights from the newly released second edition of her book Art for All, featuring updates on culturally sustaining pedagogy and the role of AI in education. Listen as the discussion touches on the nature of teaching, the power of student feedback, and why sustainable, inclusive practices are essential for education.
Starting your first year of teaching can be exciting, but it also comes with challenges that no one fully prepares you for. In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim Bogatz and Janet Taylor dig into questions from new teachers about the difficult scenarios they’re already facing. From difficult colleagues to pushy administrators, supply and budget shortages, tough parents, and even unsafe student behavior, we share strategies to help you navigate it all. Whether you’re setting boundaries, finding your voice with parents, or just trying to keep your art room stocked, this episode is packed with practical advice and reassurance that you’re not alone.
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim talks with Chicago-area high school art teacher Liz Brent from AOEU’s Draw the Line series. Liz shares her journey from a chaotic first year without a mentor to becoming a confident teacher who helps others manage classrooms with structure and ease. You’ll hear why classroom management is the foundation of everything we do, how Liz learned to turn challenges into strategies, and why observing veteran teachers is one of the best ways to grow. Liz also shares practical, classroom-tested tips for creating a calm, creative, and productive space where students can thrive.
In this episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim Bogatz and Amanda Heyn tackle the real questions art teachers are asking—everything from how to protect your prep time, to saying “no” without guilt, to deciding which lessons deserve to be repeated year after year. Along the way, you’ll hear strategies for handling challenging student behavior, creative approaches to gamifying the art room, and a lively discussion of Amanda and Tim's favorite artists.
What does it take to build a teaching career across countries, cultures, and continents? Art teacher Lindsey Bailey joins Tim today to share her 15-year journey teaching in Singapore, China, Cambodia, the Middle East, and now Ethiopia. From navigating new cultures and languages to finding creative inspiration abroad, Lindsey offers insight into the challenges and rewards of international teaching. Listen as she discusses how she first started teaching internationally, the benefits and drawbacks of living and teaching in different countries, and offers advice for teachers thinking about doing the same.
Teaching clay can feel messy and intimidating—but it doesn’t have to! In this week’s Art Ed Radio, Tim chats with AOE Curriculum Designer Angela Matsuoka about simple tips, classroom hacks, and brand-new FLEX resources to help you expand your ceramics offerings this year, no matter what level you teach. Listen as they discuss how you can start small, how to be more intentional with your planning, and where you can find the resources you need to support your teaching.
Classroom management can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. In today's episode, Kyle Wood joins Tim and shares practical tips and creative systems that keep the art room calm, focused, and fun. The conversation covers a variety of topics, including setting boundaries, creating routines that fit your style, and reframing anxiety about disruptions into intentional planning. They also discuss Kyle's role in the Draw the Line series on AOEU’s YouTube channel, where you can find even more classroom management ideas.
Fresh off hosting the Art Ed NOW Conference, Tim and Amanda are here with the August mailbag! After a garden talk update, they answer listener questions about starting the school year strong, surviving the chaos of short class periods, finding the perfect gift for an art teacher, and learning hundreds of student names without losing your mind.
The 25th Art Ed Now Conference is happening this weekend, and Tim is joined by co-host Amanda Heyn to celebrate the milestone with a look back at some of their favorite moments from past conferences. From wild games and surprise guests to giant novelty cakes and unforgettable costumes, they share behind-the-scenes stories that reflect the joy, community, and creativity that Art Ed NOW is known for. They also discuss what’s coming up at this weekend’s event, including must-see presentations, exciting giveaways, and new ways to make art together. Whether you’re a longtime attendee or thinking about joining for the first time, this episode will get you excited for everything Art Ed NOW has to offer.
Art educator Joel Scholten returns to the show for a fun, insightful conversation about longevity in teaching, embracing creativity, and making meaningful connections—in and out of the classroom. He gives a behind-the-scenes look at the hilarious promotional reels he created for the upcoming Art Ed NOW Conference, and what participants can expect from his hands-on artmaking session that starts the Main event. The conversation also dives in to practical advice for traveling art teachers, innovative cleanup strategies, and why routines are foundational to building student relationships and classroom success.
Get ready for one of the spiciest episodes of Art Ed Radio yet! Tim Bogatz is joined by Amanda Heyn for a long-awaited “Hot Takes” edition, where they share their boldest, most controversial opinions about all things art education. They also read hot takes from the AOEU community, share incredible voicemails from listeners and the AOE team, and rant (lovingly) about cliché student artwork, extra credit, perspective drawing, and why you're spending way too much time worrying about glaze.
In this episode from the archives, Tim sits down with the incredible Momo Schafer, glass artist and fan-favorite from the hit Netflix series Blown Away. Momo shares insights into her creative journey, her experience on the show, and the importance of making glassblowing more accessible and appreciated by a broader audience. Listen as they discuss some behind-the-scenes stories from the show, some ideas for helping your students appreciate what happens in a hot shop, and where to learn more about blown glass.
Tim and Amanda return with the July Mailbag to answer your most pressing art ed questions! They explore creative ways to use leftover clay, how to plan project timelines, and whether AI belongs as part of your curriculum. Plus, they dive into strategies for recharging your creative energy over the summer—and wrap up with a fun look at the perfect day in the life of an art teacher.
In today's episode, artist and educator Juana Meneses joins Tim to explore the art of bookmaking with found objects. Juana shares how she uses unconventional materials and found objects as powerful tools for storytelling and identity-building. Through her teaching and personal practice, she encourages students to engage deeply with their materials, embracing intuition, memory, and meaning in their creative work. The discussion also touches on AOEU's new Studio: Book Arts graduate course and Juana's upcoming Art Ed NOW presentation, two incredible opportunities to dive deeper into bookmaking!
In this episode, Tim sits down with Sarah Colvin, an educator from Michigan who is transitioning from teaching special education to the art room after completing her Master’s Degree from The Art of Education University. Sarah shares her journey of discovering her passion for art education, her decision to pursue the degree, and how the program has prepared her for her new role. She also discusses the excitement and challenges of teaching nearly 500 students, her commitment to student choice and building strong relationships, and how her current skills will translate into the art room.
In today's episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim welcomes Janet Taylor back to the show for a deep and honest conversation on one of the most complex aspects of teaching: grading and assessment. Together, they reflect on how grading practices have evolved in recent years, how student motivation has shifted, and what it means to uphold integrity in your classroom while still showing compassion. Janet shares insights from her ongoing capstone research, candid thoughts on grade equity, and a discussion on "no zero" policies. If you've ever questioned the why behind your assessment approach, or struggled to find the balance with your grading, this episode will be worth your time.
In the June Mailbag episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim and Amanda start with an end-of-year discussion, complete with field day stories and a trip to Tim's backyard wildlife sanctuary. They then dive into voicemails and emails on everything from managing unsolicited classroom "donations" to resisting AI tools, as well as teaching students to think critically and creatively. The episode also includes tips on summer art prompts, clever marker organization, and ways to reflect on the year in ways that help us moving forward. And the best part? There are so many listener questions, there is a Part 2 of the Mailbag! Head on over to the Art of Ed Community (link below) in order to watch or listen!
In today's episode, Tim sits down with Oscar Keyes and Erika Ogier to explore how educators can effectively bring digital art and creative technology into their classrooms. Erika, an elementary art teacher, and Oscar, a multimedia librarian and art education faculty member, share their collaborative journey in developing a curated list of tech tools tailored to the realities of K–12 education—tools that are free, user-friendly, web-based, and login-optional. They discuss the myth of the “digital native,” emphasize the importance of foundational tech skills, and highlight how digital art can foster creativity and digital literacy across age levels.
Today, Tim is joined by Jen Leban for a discussion centered around technology, focus, and the changing dynamics of student engagement. Tim begins with some reflections on learning, creativity, and multitasking, and Jen dives into the impact of the attention economy on how students receive, process, and learn information. The conversation continues and covers the concept of continuous partial attention, the use of AI, and how the arts can help us continue to learn in creative ways.