Studio Smart

I opened Studio SmArt initially because other art teachers liked my lessons and wanted a place to buy them. Designing art curriculum that teachers both want and need is still the driving force behind every resource that I upload. I understand the importance of knowing that the content you are teaching is well researched, thoughtfully designed, easy to implement, time saving, and most importantly engaging. You are the art teacher rock star for your students! Going down the research rabbit hole and testing out lesson ideas has always been something I enjoy, ever since I wrote my first lesson plan in undergrad. That is why I am happy to do all that work for you, so that all you have to do is some expected material prep and lead a lesson that will impress the adults while keeping students' interest. As a busy art teacher, do you really want to spend hours upon hours researching, aligning standards, and writing objectives? Probably not, right? I draw from over ten years of experience as a licensed art educator teaching in Pre-kindergarten to grade 12 classrooms, workshops, and private lessons to bring you resources that are designed to make your life easier by eliminating tons of time spent planning. Once you have these resources you will use them for years because your students will love them. My own educational background includes a very helpful mix of fine art, art history and writing. That means that when I design an art lesson, I do my best to provide relevant historical or contemporary art references that will enhance learning. You'll also find lessons that have interdisciplinary connections that encourage students to write about their art or as part of their art process. When I am not teaching, researching or creating amazing teacher resources, you'll find me actively involved in my state's art education association where I serve as the chair of the professional development committee. It is yet another way that I work to support other art teachers.

My personal teaching style centers the student artist and their expressive voice. Even if a lesson or technical demo involves direct instruction, I look for ways to incorporate elements of personal choice so that student artists can tell their stories, not mine. I am inspired by and learn as much from my students as they do from me - maybe more. It is a symbiotic relationship; my teaching is always adapting, evolving and improving because of that.

Art teacher, illustrator, published writer, and changemaker. I am pleased to humbly brag that I have a contributing illustration in a book called "If Picasso Went to the Zoo." If you like Gustave Courbet, you'll like my illustration of "Courbet's Chimpanzee." I have also published several articles on the topics of art education and teaching. Most recently I was on the writing committee working on a supplement to my state department of education's arts frameworks, thus shaping the future of arts learning.

I hold a B.F.A. in Fine Art and Art Education with a dual minor in Art History and Creative Writing. My media concentration was painting; however, I studied all art disciplines because I always knew I wanted to be an art teacher that could teach all the things. Anything I didn't learn in college I have learned through research, workshops, trainings or trial and error. When teaching, always stay one step ahead of your audience.

I am in the company of many great artists in my love of cats!