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 Doorley, 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)

Choose a Session

Sessions include a slide presentation, hands-on practice, take-home activity guides, and a letter families can read explaining the approach.

Art Basics

1 hour, $1000

Up to 25 participants ($30 for each additional participant). All supplies included.

Art Exploration

2 hours, $1900

Up to 25 participants ($55 for each additional participant). All supplies included.

Art Immersion

3 hours, $2800

Up to 25 participants ($80 for each additional participant). All supplies included.

Art Intensive

5 hours, $4500

Up to 25 participants ($110 for each additional participant). All supplies included.

Pricing covers the greater Bay Area. Travel and lodging quoted separately for locations beyond 60 miles.

Add-ons

Optional add-ons: Multi-session series, follow-up coaching, and district-wide programs.

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.

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