How this blog works is simple…I post curriculum as it develop in my classroom. Traffic on this blog has doubled-tripled and more since I began it only 3 years ago and for that I am proud of my professional presence online. Hopefully you can find something useful or share some insight with me as we journey through the incredibly important world of Art Eductation together.
First and foremost, I love teaching and I love my job. Art education supplies a great foundation of problem solving skills, creative thinking, and confidence building. Ultimately, it is one of the best platforms to build relationships with students – something that is central to my core values as an educator. My passion in life is teaching and working with children so that they can find their identity and voice through the arts and their own passions. Students walk into my classroom and can and will succeed with what they are doing.
I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. I graduated in 2005 from Urbandale High School and received my B.A. 
in Art Education with an emphasis in Graphic Design and Photography from University of Northern Iowa. I currently work at Hoyt Middle School in Des Moines, Iowa as an Art Educator. Prior to Hoyt, I worked at Findley Elementary for five years. Findley Elementary is a Turnaround Arts: Des Moines school, part of the Turnaround: Arts program through the Kennedy Center. Prior to Findley Elementary, I taught at Webster City Middle School in Webster City, Iowa.
I live just outside of Des Moines in Altoona, Iowa with my husband, Matt, who teaches High School Building Trades in Carlisle, Iowa and son Philip, who is just over a year old and keeps us on our toes. We also live with our energetic dogs, Penny & Roxxy. I love traveling. Some students often ask what kind of art I make – I enjoy water color painting but really, my favorite kind of art is teaching. My goal is to enjoy life and have as many experiences as I can – after all, you only live once. If you need to contact me, please feel free to email me or call.
This blog is an updated source of what is happening in my art room. Resources, lessons, and thoughts will circulate throughout posts. Scroll past the comments section to gain use of some handy widgets like search or “tagged” topics.
Art Class With LMJ 
I really appreciate your enthusiasm for art, education, and your students. I used to teach middle school English. Most of my goals for students had to do with their articulation of thoughts. Art offers an excellent way for people to explore their ideas, opinions, and different structures, while also building confidence in their own identity and perspective. I look forward to your posts!
Wow. Thank you so much. I sincerely look forward to your thoughts and communications. I am always impressed how blogging seems to connect so many people. Believe it or not, my first venture in college was English Education but I fell quickly in love with art.
I am so glad that there are people like you in this world. My passion is art – more specifically painting and fashion design. I have had the good fortune to be blessed with great teachers like yourself . Please know that what you do makes a huge difference in this world. I am grateful that you inspire/teach !! Thank you for visiting my blog and for providing such positive feedback. You are soooooo appreciated !!
Thank you for following back an acknowledging the importance of the arts! I look forward to your posts as well! 🙂
Hi Lisa Marie,
I’m glad I stumbled across your blog! I am a printmaker based in Norwich, England and am just starting a teaching course for higher education. I have already found your blog helpful in giving me an idea of how to approach setting up lessons and feel inspired to develop my own blog to help promote art, especially printmaking!
I look forward to seeing further posts, please take a look at my page 🙂
Laura White lwhiteprints.wordpress.com
Thank you! I encourage you to blog away – it is a very beneficial form of Professional Development, not only on your own but through networking. I will definitely be taking a look – best wishes!
Hi Lisa Marie! I just recently received a nomination for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award and am now passing it onto you. Please visit this post for more details: http://wp.me/p2rZcZ-wu. I would love to nominate you as one of our favorite blogs! There’s no pressure to accept this award but I thought you would like to know you made our list. 🙂 Thanks for the great posts and happy blogging!
Hi there Lisa! Thanks so much for your Rubric sheet-from ArtSmart. I’ve been teaching many years longer than you, but have found your sheet superior to what I do-I love it! Thanks again
Hey! I got your email (right?) and I will be responding to you today sometime! I have completely dropped the ball on blogging but I am getting back into this month! Expect correspondence soon and thanks for the kind words!
I am so glad I found your blog from a post from facebook. I love creating w my students but feel I lack the word of why and how we do things. I love how smart you projects are and the way you explain them. Thank you so much I will learn a lot from you.
I love your living wall! I am very interested in learning more about the process as this is something I would love to do in my school. If you are willing to chat, let me know!
Always happy to chat! You can shoot me an email at lisamariehesse1@gmail.com and we can discuss what details you are thinking of.
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