Art Ed Radio

Latest Episodes:

Why Art is the Most Important Class Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

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

The July Mailbag: Inspiring Supplies, Summer Doomscrolling, and Setting Boundaries Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

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

Creating Time for Creating Art Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

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

Making the Most of Your Summer Jun 23, 2026

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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

Where Do You Discover New Artists? Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

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

Austin Kleon and His New Book, Don't Call it Art Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

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!

The June Mailbag: Differentiation, Creative Ruts, and Students Who Keep You Guessing Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

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)

From the Archives: Can We Find Time to Balance Everything? May 26, 2026

Show notes

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

How Resilience and Choice Can Transform Your Art Room May 19, 2026

Show notes

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

Burnout, Boundaries, and Finding Your Purpose with Tiffany Fox May 12, 2026

Show notes

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

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