Art Educator / Practicing Artist
MY PHILOSOPHY:
TEACHING ART
Teaching visual arts to students is an extremely rewarding experience for me. For many students, this is the only time in their normal daily routine that enables them to "unplug" and be creative. Students having an education in the arts is imperative to their success in all other academic study areas, as it helps develop important life skills like critical thinking processes, self-reflection and self-monitoring , problem-solving skills, fine-motor and small detail skills using their hands, how to visually communicate and express themselves as individuals, and having an ability to think constructively toward a better outcome.
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As students often come from a plethora of educational backgrounds, artistic abilities, and personal experiences, it is important to differentiate instruction in a way that reaches all student learning levels and modalities.
Students also benefit from learning about the cultural history of past artists and works, while also embracing current work being made today in the contemporary art world. I encourage my students to look at art for fun and to be more observant of the world around them; to find inspiration in all objects and artworks, big and small.
Many students hesitate to describe themselves as "creative" because they often doubt their own ideas and find it easier to avoid putting themselves in a position to be judged by others. I like design projects and units to focus on the creative process overall, which gives students an opportunity to succeed in many different ways and areas of assessment. We practice all skills that make up the entire creative process: brainstorming and research, knowledge and proficiency of skills, visual design and creativity, craftsmanship, constructive self-reflection and visual problem-solving. All of these very importance pieces make up the puzzle that is "creativity."
I also believe that the skills utilized to create art can be practiced and improved upon over time, similar to playing a sport or an instrument. I work hard to make sure that each and every student in my classroom grows to feel confident in their own creativity, while also learning to feel sure and accepting of their own ideas. I am particularly passionate about making art feel "doable" for all students, by working hard to break down processes and techniques into approachable steps while working to conquer small challenges along the way. I believe this method of "coaching" students through the process of art making and giving frequent feedback on an individual basis helps to build that confidence many students lack or struggle to maintain, and can begin to recognize their own creative growth as they work on their art.
I feel that in today's fast-paced society and ever-growing presence of technology, students often struggle with wanting instant gratification and can lose motivation to continue working on something over time. In my class, we examine art in a very personal way, and learn to develop an appreciation for the maker, the effort, thinking, and planning a work would demand, and the time it took to create a work of art. This often translates into a more patient approach from students as they grow more comfortable with any given process. Experimentation with various types of artwork and art media gives students a well-rounded experience in their own creativity, which helps foster the development of themselves as individuals and creative beings overall.
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The arts hold a very important position in the learning environment for every student , and I work to uphold the responsibility of providing a positive experience for my students on a daily basis. As an art teacher, I feel it is my job to help remove the stigma that only the artistically inclined can or should create art. Art-making is beneficial to all humans of all ages and I am passionate about creating an accepting environment where all students can grow from their experiences in my classroom.
ART IS FOR EVERYONE.
