We hope you all had an amazing summer. Recently, we've been thinking about and talking with other art teachers about creative clothes to wear to work. There is an old adage that says, "If you dress better, you'll feel better". With the sometimes very messy work that we do as art teachers, large class loads, staff meetings.....etc.,   our daily outfit for work is usually the last things on our minds.  Some days, just getting through the day without a student putting art tools in their mouth is a major accomplishment.  But, since visual expression and representation is a big part of what we do, maybe the old adage should be considered as we head into this new school year. Here are several tips to help you begin the new school year with a new look.
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Fashion Forward
If you enjoy dressing up a little bit more then the average person, then check out these two lovely ladies for some fashion inspiration.

​ Creative Accessories
If you're like me and have more of a "yoga pants" fashion style/preference, then colorful accessories are a great way to spruce up your work wardrobe without losing comfort.

Colorful Aprons
I tend to be a little bit messier in my artistic expression, so an art apron is a necessity for me. The fun thing about being an art teacher is that wearing an apron everyday is totally acceptable. You can purchase, paint or create your own colorful apron from an old t-shirt.

Make sure to visit our Pinterest page for more tips. Have a great school year and share your ideas for creative outfits for art teachers by commenting below.

I have had the privilege of teaching art to a wide variety of students in a variety of communities ranging from suburban to rural areas. Moreover, my first professional teaching job was at an elementary school in an urban community. The art room serviced over 800 students from lower middle-class to low-class families in terms of their socioeconomic backgrounds. That first year was definitely challenging but,  I grew tremendously as a teacher and really loved the students. Below I have listed the 3 C's for striving as an art educator in an urban setting. While these tips should be used in all classrooms, they are essential if you want to experience success in an urban classroom.

1. Compassion
I know, compassion in teaching is a no brainer. Yet there are some teachers who are only teaching for the benefits (in some districts) and the vacation time. Compassion is a necessity in the urban classroom because many of the students are coming from unstable or dysfunctional environments. They are very intuitive and know whether are not you love them and what you do. If you do not love them, they will not respect or obey you.

2. Confidence
The saying "Never let them see you sweat", definitely bears true in an urban classroom. You must be confident in your authority, knowledge of the content, and ability to present it. If you present a weak image, the students will use that as a method to try to intimidate you. Confidently convey the message to the students that it's your classroom and you are in control.

3. Creativity
Okay, every art teacher should have this trait.  In an urban classroom, creativity extends beyond the actual lessons. You have to find creative ways to diffuse conflict between students and make art relevant to them.

Feel free to share your ideas or comments below.

Hello! We hope that this post finds you in a state of joy and gratitude after having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. While many thoughts of gratitude continue to abound in our hearts, we thought about sharing three art resources that  we are grateful for.

1. Deep Space Sparkle
This art education blog is an amazing resource for anyone who is looking for new ideas and inspiration to use for teaching elementary students art. Patty Palmer is an experienced art educator and the creator of this beautiful blog. Visit this blog today!

2. Ticonderoga Pencils
Ticonderoga pencils are some of the best pencils in the world. They are great for drawing, affordable, and are very high quality HB pencils. The black pencils are great for the art studio, especially on the secondary level,  because they are easier to maintain and produce really nice tonal values. (No compensation was received for this, it's just our humble opinion)

Most art teachers and/or artists understand the importance of decorating a room or studio in a way that inspires creativity. Moreover, it's good to decorate an art space in a way that does not cause it to look cluttered or disorganized.  In addition to using the affordably beautiful art resources from www.artforthecreativesoul.com, student art, and artist prints, the following list suggests three simple ways you can decorate your art space, classroom, or studio using simple objects.

1. Decorate cabinets or storage with colored paper
Arrange sheets of construction paper or paint sample strips in simple patterns. This will enhance the physical appearance of the art space without looking cluttered.

2. Use art tools or books to decorate
Arrange your art supplies and/or books in neat rows based on color and/or type. This is visually appealing and a fun way to organize your supplies.

3. Use flowers and/or interesting objects 
Live or silk flowers, colorful rugs or cloth, and interesting objects are great ways to add pizazz to an art room or studio.

Make sure to click on the Pinterest link in the sidebar to discover more creative ideas for decorating an art space. Also share your ideas by commenting below.