Creative connection: Promoting educator well-being with visual journaling

This article explores the use of visual journaling as a pedagogical tool to promote educator well-being and foster connections in art education and educators’ creative processes. The authors, members of the National Art Education Association Research Commission, Professional Learning through Research Working Group, share their perspectives on the application of visual journaling practices and its potential to support self-reflection, learning and creative care. The visual journal is defined as a hybrid space for visual and written collection, critical reflective practices and creation, supporting varied processes and frameworks for art educators at any level, pre-service to veteran. Through personal experiences and examples, the authors highlight the impact that visual journaling had on their individual creative connections, teaching practices, museum experiences and community engagement. The article emphasizes the importance of incorporating arts-based research tools such as visual journaling in art education to promote lifelong learning and support the overall well-being of art educators.