Art teachers are a unique species. We are quirky and creative. Colorful and chaotic. Empathetic and sensitive. Yet so many people love us outside of our school life, including our spouses, children, extended family, and friends. We polled The Art of Ed Community, and the results are unanimous—the things that make us strange and special are what they end up cherishing the most.
… Because you have one in your own home! Whether it’s every color of house paint lining shelves in the basement or garage, or rows of paint tubes in your studio, you have every color on hand for any touch-up situation or emergency kid’s school project.
Art teachers take their art supplies very seriously, both at school and at home. Family members know to ask permission before taking a supply or tool, and very clearly state the purpose they want to use it for, so you can provide the appropriate type of adhesive or pair of scissors. Friends know to ask you to bring “the good markers” to craft night because you have the dual-tip alcohol markers and bleed blockers.
Along the same lines, you’ve spent your life educating those you love about the various types of permanent markers available. You have at least one of each size in each room to meet any need. You also have a stash of assorted colors and metallics—just in case. And your people know to put the cap on when they’re done and never destroy the tip.
Not only do art teachers plan the best trips, but we also add more culture and global thinking to our family and friend circles. If anyone can sneak in an art museum pit stop on a vacation, it’s us! Plus, we acquire the most nifty items to commemorate our travels, making both the trip itself and the artwork after adventures to remember.
Even the most logical and precise art teacher amongst us can whip up a freehand sketch out of seemingly nowhere and eyeball hanging a picture at the perfect height and centered on the wall. Our closest kin know anxiety and cringing aren’t worth it—they can trust us every single time.
There’s something about an art room filled with plants… and everyone knows it’s the overflow of their home. Our family also understands that Plant Watering Day is a thing—and it’s all hands on deck. While they appreciate our love of greenery because it brings energy and refreshment to their life, you know they’re still wondering, “How many plants are too much?”
Every circle has inside jokes, and every art teacher’s family has inside lingo. Our closest people know what ROYGBIV, AOE, NOW, and NAEA stand for because it’s all we talk about! They know that these are special acronyms that mean, “Listen up! I’m about to say something that’s a really big deal.”
Long gone are the days when one could just purchase a costume. Our family knows we can’t stand a generic costume, and we will embrace any opportunity to dress up and make our own ensembles. (Bonus points for group costumes!) They also know our creative genius in this area is a gift, and we accept nothing less than a positive, willing attitude.
Newspapers, magazines, plastic bottles and containers, and egg cartons—you name it, we collect it. And oh—did I mention the cardboard?! Your friends and family know what you like to save and always have a bag or box full at each visit. You even have a permanent spot in your trunk for transporting these precious treasures from home to school, and it might even have a name like “Cardboard Mountain!”
Who knew that when deciding what car to purchase, “art teacher trunk space” would be a requirement? We need all the room we can get to haul supplies, donations, and artwork to and from home, school, and art show locations.
Walk around an art teacher’s house, and there will be clues in the decor as to who lives here and what they do for a living. Big colorful art books as coffee table reads? Check. Original artwork with signatures? Check. A shiny balloon dog sculpture perched on a bookcase? Check. A “Not Paint Water” mug in the kitchen cabinet? Check. A collection of items arranged in rainbow order? Check. Kids’ art displayed with museum-style labels? Check.
Art teachers’ minds are a fascinating place. We have creative minds that are never bored or stagnant, and are always moving, working, and making. Show us any art teacher, and we’ll show you their creative pursuit. From custom pet or house portraits to event planning to freelance photography work, art teachers are innovators and hard workers driven by their need to create beauty in everyone’s lives.
At the heart of it all, the very quirks that make art teachers different are what make us unforgettable to those who love us in all of the best ways. From fully stocked art supply stashes to homes full of vibrant color and life, we bring joy, inspiration, and a touch of magic to everyday life. The lasting mark we leave behind is not just on a canvas, but in our homes and relationships, making it the most valuable one of all.
What other habits or traits make art teachers unique?
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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.
Lindsey McGinnis is AOE’s Media Content Manager and a former high school art educator. She is passionate about equipping art teachers to be successful in their classrooms and firmly believes that art is the best place for students to explore and process the challenging topics and concepts around them.