NAEA Open Studio Conversation: Art Room 101 Series | Designing the Year: Tools for Art Curriculum Planning
Includes a Live Web Event on 08/21/2025 at 7:00 PM (EDT)
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- Non-member - Free!
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NAEA Open Studio Conversation: Art Room 101 Series | Designing the Year: Tools for Art Curriculum Planning
Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 7pm ET
Cost: FREE!
Join us for this Open Studio Conversation focused on building a strong foundation for art instruction throughout the year. In this session, experienced art educators will share practical tools and strategies for curriculum planning—from mapping your scope and sequence, to aligning lessons with standards and setting up systems for reflection and assessment. Whether you're preparing for a new year or refining your current approach, you’ll gain ready-to-use ideas and resources to support your art curriculum planning process.
Please note that participation in this live event or recording does not include NAEA professional learning credit.
Tasha Newton
K-12 art teacher and The Art of Education Advisor and Student Coach
The Art of Education University, Iowa
Tasha Newton is an award-winning art educator from Wisconsin with over 14 years of teaching experience. She spent 10 years teaching elementary art and 4 years teaching middle and high school art, creating safe and supportive environments where students are encouraged to take creative risks and explore new ideas. In recognition of her dedication and impact, Tasha was named the 2024 Wisconsin Art Teacher of the Year and the 2025 NAEA Northwestern Art Teacher of the Year.
Beyond the classroom, Tasha enjoys traveling, reading, working in her ceramics studio, and making art alongside her children. She believes in the power of art to build confidence and community and sees her role not only as a K-12 educator but also as a resource and mentor for fellow teachers and her broader community.
Leela Payne
Elementary Art Educator
Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland
Leela Payne is a dedicated teacher and artist with over 30 years of experience in art education. Originally from Long Island, NY, she holds an undergraduate degree for Mansfield University, PA, and a graduate degree in supervision and the arts from Bank St., College and the School of Visual Arts. Leela has been with Montgomery County Public Schools for over 30 years, including New Hampshire Estates, (a Title One Primary school, Burning Tree and Rock View Elementary working with students from pre-K through fifth grade, including learning center programs. She has taught middle and high school students during the summer through creative adventures art camp where she’s been involved with over 25 years based in the Washington DC, Leela draws inspiration from the region's museum and gallery scene which fuels both her teaching and her personal art practice.
Tiffany Alvarez-Thurman
Lead Art Teacher
Plano East Senior High School, Texas
Tiffany is a veteran secondary art teacher with 21 years of experience teaching at all levels, including AP Art and Design, AP Art History, and IB Visual Arts. She is the Curriculum Specialist for Plano ISD Visual Arts and is the Lead Consultant and Co-Owner of Green Stripe Consulting LLC, where she leads trainings for arts educators, creates resources and courses for AP and IB art,s and provides professional development services for school districts.
