5 Ways to Connect and Stay Current with Students and Their Families in the Art Room

No matter how many years you have under your art teacher belt, the first day can still bring a flurry of intimidation and exhilaration. What will my students be like? What will they be into this year? Will they like me? As you gear up to welcome a new crew of future artists, The Art of Ed’s Community Engagement Team is here with tried-and-true tips to build connections from day one. Meet your students where they are, and garner the respect and support of the other adults who play a key role in their success.

Take these five ideas to get to know the people who matter most this year: your students, their families, your administrator, and your department.

1. Embrace pop culture to connect with your students.

Pop culture and visual culture can be the perfect gateway to connect with students in the art room and also inspire creative endeavors. While it can be a struggle to know where to start when we don’t know what’s relevant and popular, there are touchstones we share across generations. We can use those similarities, like major celebrity events, to create connections. As students are discussing what people were wearing, the set design, or the storyline, use this as an opportunity to merge into an analysis of visual art. 

One way to keep your instructional content and reminders light is to infuse memes or trending slang! As you’re mindlessly doom-scrolling at the end of a long day, bookmark memes that make you smile. The next time you’re compiling a slide deck, add a few in and tweak them to fit your needs. Your students will appreciate the effort and humor!

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2. Tie in trending songs to grab students’ attention.

Speaking of pop culture, another way to bring the fun and connection is to use trending songs and phrases as your attention grabbers! Play a chart-topping song during clean-up or use a few song lyrics as a call and response. If you’re still not sure what song to use, ask the students themselves! (Just be sure the songs are school-appropriate first.) Students love it when you include their opinions in the shaping of the art room culture. Catch all these ideas (and more!) in the episode below.

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3. Be solutions-oriented to build trust with your administrators.

As an art teacher, you’re no stranger to overcoming obstacles. From limited budgets to tight schedules to overflowing classes, you’re constantly adapting. One of the most impactful relationships you’ll have at school is with your administrators. When they understand both the joys and challenges of the art room, they’re more likely to provide the support you need for you and your students.

If you’re facing a challenge and want to involve your admin, start by brainstorming possible solutions before setting up a meeting. This proactive approach highlights your creativity and problem-solving skills. It also makes it easier for them to understand your perspective and say “yes” to your requests. 

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4. DIY your own art department and find new art teacher friends.

If you’re one of the many art teachers who are the only art teacher in their building, we see you! Or, perhaps you feel like you’re navigating your career solo because your department is super small. Did you know you can take the reins and start building your own virtual art department? Then, bring your online connections into the real world by making physical meetups to see art, network, brainstorm, and connect.

Join The Art of Ed Community to seek an engaging, inspiring community of like-minded individuals. It’s a dedicated professional space to ask questions, share ideas, and foster camaraderie without the distraction of traditional social media. Once you’re in, sort members by geographic area to find real art teacher friends nearby who “get” what you do! You can also go to the “Who’s Here” Space and filter results by a “near you” category. There’s also an interactive Google Map that shows where members are throughout the globe. Click on specific regional groups to find other members in your part of the world!

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5. Celebrate wins with families!

With so many different responsibilities both in and out of the classroom, it’s easy to forget about one of the most important stakeholders: families! Setting the right tone with your students often begins with starting off on the right foot with parents and caregivers. Plus, these adults know your students the best because they have spent the most time with them. Foster communication on day one with an introductory newsletter or brief email. Bonus points if you include a short video for family to really get to know you.