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Art teachers wear many hats. We’re creators, collaborators, classroom managers, community liaisons, tech troubleshooters, and more. But the one hat that often stays on, even outside of school, is our most cherished: the Art Teacher Hat. While teaching art is a core part of who we are, it’s not the whole story—we are so much more. That’s why it’s important to wear your Art Teacher Hat with confidence and learn when to set it aside so you can rest and recharge.

two rainbow hats with art teacher on and off signs

Art Teacher Hat ON: In the Classroom

We love art and teaching art, so naturally, we want to show up with our Art Teacher Hat on. We want to bring intention, creativity, and energy to our students every time they walk through our classroom doors. But to truly be present and prepared, it’s important to invest time behind the scenes. When you’re proactive with planning, you not only reduce stress, but you also create space for more meaningful learning.

art teacher wearing the art teacher hat on and holding art supplies

Set a regular time for lesson planning and prep.

Everyone sees a creative space ready to go, but they don’t always see the hours of thoughtful planning that make it possible. Designate distraction-free time to fully embrace your Art Teacher Hat. Close the door and silence notifications. Even small shifts like these can help you stay focused and productive.

Maximize your time and resources with FLEX, a K-12 standards-aligned curriculum. There are thousands of step-by-step lesson plans with differentiated student-facing resources to choose from. You can even organize your favorites by adding them to the digital classes feature.

Break up tasks with dedicated time blocks.

The to-do list never ends—but structure helps. Divide your planning period into task-specific chunks so you know exactly when to tackle what. Assign a specific day of the week or month for researching fresh artists, making parent phone calls, or organizing and deep cleaning your space. When you give your time a purpose, it’s easier to stay on track. Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than checking items off a list.

Keep a running “Inspiration List.”

Another thing that helps with that endless to-do list is to keep one specific to inspiration. This ensures you don’t forget something if you can’t get to it right away. Use a physical notebook or apps like Google Keep or Apple Notes. Break down your lists by topic to find things in a snap. Specific list topics can include a Budget List, Someday Art Projects, Admin Priorities, and Artist Spotlights.

Create flexible units that leave room for new ideas.

It’s okay to leave space for spontaneity in your art curriculum. Build out your Year-At-A-Glance, unit plans, and lessons—but don’t feel pressure to have every detail finalized from day one. Give yourself room to explore. Consider adding a note to your syllabus, such as, Subject to change at teacher discretion. This gives you the freedom to adapt based on student interests, current events, or inspiration that strikes mid-year.

Make the most of general professional development.

We all have to attend district and schoolwide workshops and meetings. While it may not always seem relevant, your Art Teacher Hat can still show up! PD keeps us curious and fuels our creativity. No matter the format or agenda, there are simple ways to bring meaningful connections back to your art room.

Approach your next workshop with wonder instead of frustration. Just like we encourage our students, keep an open mind because you get out what you put in. Keep a PD Remix Journal. In addition to taking notes, add doodles and brainstorm connections for your art students and teaching practice. Speak up in sessions by asking presenters how the content could translate to an art classroom.

Supplement with art-specific professional development to fill your cup!

There’s nothing better than when PD hits home and is immediately applicable to your art room! It’s equally encouraging and challenging when you’re surrounded by like-minded professionals who understand what it’s like to go from teaching clay to charcoal in less than five minutes. Seek out opportunities that truly inspire you and connect you with others who wear the same hat. There are so many options out there for every time and financial constraint.

One great option is to attend national and regional conferences. Dive deep into creative strategies, network with other art teachers, and come back energized. While there, you can also be a presenter. Teaching others is a powerful way to create depth in your own learning. If you’re unable to travel, sign up for The Art Ed NOW Conference. Learn from the comfort of your own home, all while making art with a wide network of art educators!

Additionally, reach out to local museums. Ask about teacher workshop or seminar opportunities for behind-the-scenes tours, field trips, and activity ideas. Another invigorating experience is to be an examiner for advanced courses. Attend AP Summer Institutes or become an AP Reader to engage with national-level student portfolios and other high school art teachers.

Display your own artwork and attend art shows.

Just like you plan and put together student art shows, don’t forget that you’re an artist too! While you don’t need to organize an entire solo exhibit, remember that displaying a single piece can be incredibly meaningful. Other ways to stay present in the art scene are to attend student art shows, visit local galleries and art walks, or simply sit down and draw with your students.

Art Teacher Hat OFF: Outside the Classroom

You’re passionate and you care. You can love what you do, but that doesn’t mean your Art Teacher Hat needs to stay on 24/7. It’s important to recognize when it’s time to take it off so you can maintain your art teacher energy in school, be yourself outside of school, and invite curiosity in a more relaxed way. Whether you’re scrolling social media, wandering an exhibit, or exploring a new city, you can still soak in creative ideas without the pressure to turn them into a lesson plan.

As teachers, we often forget that rest is productive. Giving ourselves permission to recharge is not only healthy—it’s necessary to prevent burnout. Studies show that resting and letting your brain reset leads to more creativity and productivity as an educator. When you take off your Art Teacher Hat, you can put it back on stronger and bolder than ever, and make space for the other “hats” and roles you hold in your life.

Here are a few ways to make space for your other “hats:”

Set boundaries.
Create hard stops. When the clock hits your cut-off, say, “The work will still be here tomorrow,” and give yourself the break you need.

Be present.
Not everything has to become a lesson. Be fully present with your family, friends, or even in your quiet solo time.

Designate off-limit zones or times.
Take your work email off your phone, especially on weekends. Don’t even bring your laptop home if you’ll be tempted to pull it out!

Make art for you.
Return to the joy of creating for the sake of creating—not for a rubric, deadline, or student example. You’ll feel more refreshed and connected to your creative self.

If you still can’t turn your brain off, that’s okay! The more you practice in shorter bursts, the easier it will get. In the meantime, use low-pressure ways to capture and collect your ideas without fully putting your Art Teacher Hat back on. When you do implement your ideas in the classroom, share with students the story behind the inspiration. This helps to reveal connections between their art and the world around them.

Here are some ways to save your art teacher inspiration for later:

Create a photo “Inspo” album on your phone.

Try 1-minute voice memos.

Use sticky notes to jot down any lingering reminders before you mentally clock out.

Set up a system, such as a calendar event, to return to your inspiration later!

Your Art Teacher Hat is more than a metaphor; it represents your creativity, dedication, and the spark you bring to your students each day. Wear it fully and proudly to plan with intention, engage in professional development, and attend art shows that fuel your passion. But it’s also okay to take it off and let it rest with purpose. You deserve and need time and space to be present with friends, family, and yourself so you can be your healthiest, whether the hat is on or off!

Do you have a system for saving ideas when they come at random times? How do you revisit them later?

What does “Art Teacher Hat Off” rest look like for you?

To chat about art teacher energy and roles with other art teachers, join us in The Art of Ed Community!

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

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