Ramblings of a Middle School Art Teacher

By Kelly Beach

When asked, the majority of people will tell you that they had an awful middle school experience. In 2006, I set out to change that experience for my students. As a teacher it’s my goal to provide my students a safe learning environment where they can express themselves artistically. I strongly believe that students should understand what artists do and that they are the artist in our studio space.

Join me in my journey as a middle school art teacher as I ramble on about the techniques and strategies that I use in my teaching.

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S1:E9 "The Power of Yes"

Ramblings of a Middle School Art TeacherNov 13, 2020

00:00

08:57

NAEA 2024 Quick Recap

I ramble on about the importance of relationships and understanding everyone’s story as I reflect on the NAEA 2024 conference. Would you like to connect? Shoot me an email at kelly.r.beach@gmail.com.

Apr 10, 202406:12

Unpacking the Engagement Spectrum

Today I ramble on about the engagement spectrum. This is the tool that my school and myself use to track and communicate where students are in regards to their classroom engagement.

Find the Engagement Spectrum HERE!

Oct 19, 202204:07

The Art Trap Pivot

I'm back? Today I cover art traps and pivoting on your initial plans.

Sep 28, 202207:10

S1:E13 "The Four Paths"

We just finished our 10th annual Colorado TAB conference. In our breakout sessions, I presented on how I am running my TAB classes virtually. My ADD brain forgot to hit record on those sessions so I decided to kick off 2021 with a podcast version of that presentation.

THE FOUR PATHS

Jan 22, 202121:36

S1:E12 "Reflecting on Remote Teaching Q2"

Quarter 2 is almost in the books. This week I quickly ramble on about the second quarter of remote teaching. I'll be taking a podcasting break until mid-January. Until next time.

Dec 18, 202009:35

S1:E11 "A Festivus for the Rest of Us"

This week I air my grievances about holiday projects and how we can make a more inclusive art classroom.

Dec 04, 202006:53

S1:E10 "Your Favorite Students"

This week I ramble on about my favorite students and how I make sure that all of my students think it's them.

Nov 20, 202012:26

S1:E9 "The Power of Yes"

This week I ramble on about the power of yes and how it led to amazing student engagement. HERE you can find the piece of art referenced in this episode.

Nov 13, 202008:57

S1:E8 "Community Building/SeeSaw"

This week is a quick ramble about how I use SeeSaw to help build community remotely. Please send any questions, comments, or feedback to kelly.r.beach@gmail.com

Nov 06, 202003:51

S1:BE2 "Jamie Beach"

This month's bonus episode:

In the spring I sat down and interviewed local artists so that my middle school students could get an understanding of what it is like to be a working artist. This was the first interview that I conducted and was honored that it got to be with my sister Jamie Beach. Jamie is an amazing tattoo artist.

Oct 30, 202013:31

S1:E7 "Art Conferences"

Thank you all for listening. This week I ramble on about attending local art conferences and how important they can be. I also mention a bit of information regarding Colorado's TAB conference.

Oct 30, 202009:48

S1:E6 "Onramps to Art"

This week I ramble on about onramps to art for our students. I look at the negative experiences that many people have had that detoured them from art. I talk about ways to encourage our students to pursue the arts-based on their interests. Enjoy.

Oct 23, 202013:45

S1:E5 "Cultural Appropriation"

This week I ramble on about cultural appropriation that occurs in many art classrooms. I did miss speak and say that I worked at a school with a population of twelve thousand. That school had a population of twelve hundred. The coffee hadn't kicked in yet. Enjoy!

Oct 16, 202006:06