Help Your Teachers Say Yes to Messy, Playful, Process-Based Art
Professional Development for Teachers
Your teachers want to do more art, but they’re stuck in perfection mode, worried about mess, or don’t know where to start. I help teachers embrace process over product and make creativity feel accessible and joyful again.
Hi, I’m Rachelle Dooley, founder of TinkerLab. I specialize in helping teachers and parents incorporate creative, process-based art into their teaching and parenting practices. I’ve worked with school districts and preschool centers across California, and have written three bestselling books on early childhood art education.
"I am really enjoying your class and my kids love to see the art projects I make and love to make their own art projects!"
Billu P.
Teacher
"I have enjoyed learning new art projects to try with my class!"
Lori H.
Teacher
"I’m grateful for this creative opportunity to teach students to work together and let their creativity flow. Thank you!"
Lisa Y.
Teacher
Featured Collaborations:
Credentials
- Rachelle Doorley, art education consultant, has been teaching art for 25+ years
- Ed.M. in Arts Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and B.A. in Theater Design from UCLA
- Partnerships/clients include: Cupertino Union School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, Paramount Unified School District, Google Children’s Center, Stanford University, Bing Nursery School, Monterey Public Library, Los Altos Art Docents
- Expertise in early childhood and elementary arts education
My Teaching Philosophy & Standards Alignment
I believe the best art education happens when kids think like real artists: They take creative risks, experiment with materials, and discover their own solutions. My workshops help teachers meet state arts standards through this open-ended, playful approach that builds confident, creative thinkers.
How This Supports Standards:
- Creating: Kids explore materials without predetermined outcomes
- Presenting: Students reflect on process and discoveries
- Responding: Risk-taking builds critical thinking naturally
- Connecting: Joyful art connects to everything else organically
Art education isn’t just fun. It’s also how we build learners who aren’t afraid to tackle any challenge.
Meets art standards
Principal-recommended
Boosts student engagement
In-person or at Your Location
California-based in the Bay Area. Serving schools across the United States and around the world.
The TinkerLab studio is located in Palo Alto, CA, about 45 minutes south of San Francisco. Our creative space can accommodate up to ten people. However, most of our clients enjoy the luxury of having us come to them! We’ll set up an on-site studio workshop at your school, library, or workplace.
Our sessions prioritize:
- Hands-on making and experimenting
- Learning through play and discovery
- Building teacher confidence with art
- Meeting standards without losing the joy!
Topics
The following are some of the topics we’re eager to explore. We can also tailor the topic to your group’s interests.
CREATIVE MINDSET:
- Process Over Product for Educators
- Inspiring a Growth Mindset in the Classroom
- Challenging perfectionism/embracing mistakes
- Drawing games to ignite imagination
PRACTICAL STRATEGIES:
- Creative Thinking Strategies for Classroom Integration
- Loose parts and found materials
- Classroom sketchbooks
- Handmade books: bridging literacy and the arts
AGE-SPECIFIC APPROACHES:
- Early Childhood Visual Art Education Primer
- Elementary Classroom Arts Integration
- Art Around the Year Curriculum (9-month program)
Art Basics
1 hour, $1000
Up to 25 participants ($30 for each additional participant). All supplies included.
Art Exploration
3 hours, $2500
Up to 25 participants ($80 for each additional participant). All supplies included.
Art Immersion
5 hours, $4000
Up to 25 participants ($110 for each additional participant). All supplies included.
Add-ons
TinkerLab Books ($20, signed or unsigned) can be added on to any workshop for an additional fee. If ordering a large quantity, bulk rates may apply.
- TinkerLab: A Hands-on Guide for Little Inventors
- TinkerLab Art Starts: 52 Projects for Open-ended Exploration
The Kids Art Studio, our early childhood arts education curriculum, can be added to any workshop. This starts at $144 per teacher, per year, and we offer discounted rates for large-scale orders.
Many schools enjoy the workshop perk of gaining these add-ons with the extra discounts.
Set up your next PD session with TinkerLab
To ask a question or request a workshop, email us at ⤵
support@tinkerlab.com