ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Back-to-School Guide for Art Teachers: Routines, Self-Care, and Monthly Celebrations

publication · 2026-09-16

The Art of Education published a back-to-school guide for art teachers, emphasizing planning, routines, and self-care to prevent burnout. The article recommends pre-scheduling personal time for family, rest, and artmaking, and establishing morning and afternoon routines to protect off-contract hours. Specific tips include bringing coffee pods to the teachers' lounge, meal prepping for a 30-minute lunch break, and setting a weekday alarm to signal clock-out time. It also suggests monthly celebrations such as buying a fancy drink after 30 days of school, purchasing small art from fellow artists, taking a walking lunch, making art during a planning period, or buying luxurious lotion. The guide cites teacher burnout as an ongoing issue and links to resources from the NEA and Mental Health America. It references The Art of Education's 'Day in the Life of an Art Teacher' YouTube series and the KonMari Method for desk organization. The article encourages joining The Art of Ed Community for further discussion.

Key facts

  • The Art of Education published a back-to-school guide for art teachers.
  • The guide emphasizes planning, routines, and self-care to prevent burnout.
  • It recommends pre-scheduling personal time for family, rest, and artmaking.
  • Morning routine tips include bringing coffee pods to the teachers' lounge and meal prepping for a 30-minute lunch break.
  • Afternoon routine tips include setting a weekday alarm to signal clock-out time and leaving work at the art room.
  • Monthly celebration ideas include buying a fancy drink after 30 days of school, purchasing small art from fellow artists, taking a walking lunch, making art during a planning period, or buying luxurious lotion.
  • The article cites teacher burnout as an ongoing issue and links to NEA and Mental Health America resources.
  • It references The Art of Education's 'Day in the Life of an Art Teacher' YouTube series and the KonMari Method for desk organization.
  • The article encourages joining The Art of Ed Community for further discussion.

Entities

Institutions

  • The Art of Education
  • National Education Association
  • Mental Health America
  • The Art of Ed Community
  • YouTube

Sources