Elementary Arts

A little late, but as summer begins I’ve been reflecting on my trip to NAEA in Chicago and how much it filled my creative cup.
As teachers, it’s easy to spend the year focused on planning lessons, managing supplies, and supporting students. NAEA gave me the opportunity to step back and become a learner again. I spent time exploring museums, studying artwork in person, discovering new artists, connecting with art educators from around the country, and collecting ideas that I can’t wait to bring back to the art room.

What I appreciate most is that experiences like this remind me why art education matters. Art helps us slow down, notice details, ask questions, make connections, and see the world from different perspectives. Those are lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.

As I head into summer, I’m grateful for the inspiration, friendships, and memories that came from this experience. I’m excited to recharge, create, and continue growing so I can bring my best self back to my students in the fall.
Thank you, NAEA Chicago, for the inspiration and the reminder that learning never stops.

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FREE lesson plan available under the handout link in my bio.

Artistic Reflections: A Year-End Journey – Extended Edition is a 20-page printable end-of-the-year art book designed for elementary art classrooms. Students reflect on their creativity, review the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, celebrate artistic growth, and create meaningful end-of-the-year memories through engaging art activities and reflection pages.

Perfect for end-of-the-year activities, memory books, portfolio reflections, early finishers, art centers, sub plans, and classroom celebrations.

End-of-the-year review doesn’t have to be boring. My students have been loving this “ABC’s of Art” activity because it turns art vocabulary review into a creative challenge. Students write art words from A–Z, draw quick sketches, look around the room for clues, and review everything we learned this year like true Art Detectives.
It’s a fun way to review the Elements of Art, Principles of Design, materials, techniques, and project vocabulary while keeping students engaged during those last few weeks of school.

Perfect for end-of-year review, early finishers, centers, sub plans, and low-prep art days. Lesson plan included and FREE under the Free Resources section, ink in bio under FREE RESOURCES.

After an incredible week at NAEA, I’m back where I belong. This shirt represents the energy I’m bringing into the classroom for the rest of the year. We have a lot of art left to make, and I am ready to push my students to finish this school year with everything they’ve got.

The scavenger hunt is back.

Year four of hiding little art surprises around the National Art Education Association conference because apparently art teachers love a good mystery.

Inside each kit is a 3D-printed art keychain, some rainbow NAEA stickers, and a creative clue to get you exploring the conference.

Think of it as professional development… but make it detective work, because the best part of NAEA isn’t just the sessions, it’s the connections, conversations, and creativity we share. If you find one, snap a selfie. Your mission has officially begun.

It feels wonderful to dive back into our Celebrations and Traditions unit finally. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we used a single symbol, the shamrock, to explore how our artistic skills evolve from year to year. I love seeing the progression of techniques across the grade levels:

1st Grade explored the power of positive and negative space.
2nd Grade practiced creating dynamic line qualities.
3rd Grade experimented with a variety of line types.
4th Grade designed vibrant, patterned stained glass windows.
5th Grade focused on intricate details with beautiful zentangles.

Giving students the same foundation and watching them take it in completely unique directions is the best part of being an art teacher. Which technique stands out to you the most? Zentangle StainedGlassArt ArtClassroom

This past year, I’ve been intentional about helping my students talk like artists, not just create, but explain their thinking.

That’s why I built C.L.U.E.

Capture — What do you notice first?
Look — What elements and details do you see?
Unlock — What might it mean?
Express — What do you think and why?

It’s simple. It’s kid-friendly. And it gives them structure. I’m so excited to finally start sharing what I’ve been quietly working on behind the scenes. This has been a labor of love… and I can’t wait for you to see it.


NAEA in the Windy City? You know I had to bring the rainbow wind. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Chicago!

It’s been a little over two weeks since Crayola Creativity Week has come to an end, and what an incredible week it was. A full celebration of imagination, discovery, excitement, and colorful, creative learning that truly reminded us how powerful creativity can be in classrooms around the world.

🎨 1.3 million+ educators
🌈 20 million+ students
🌍 All 50 states + 146 countries

Thank you for making the 2026 Crayola Creativity Celebration such a meaningful, global experience. As this amazing week wraps up, I’m already looking forward to all the inspiring things has in store for next year.