My Teaching Philosophy
I believe that art is a form of communication, an instrument for problem-solving, and a pathway for critical thinking. It allows us to express the inner workings of our mind, our passions, our struggles, and beyond, without the encumbrances of traditional barriers. Art is a crucial part of our development. Viewing and creating art, challenges us to work through “mistakes,” consider alternate perspectives, and speak or feel our emotions. It brings us together by shedding light on the highs and lows of the human experience, our diversity.
As an educator, it’s important to me to facilitate learning by encouraging students to formulate authentic ideas, draw their own conclusions, make their own choices, and be expressive. It's my duty, to help them develop skills to effectively communicate and defend their ideas while making art that is meaningful.
To cultivate these skills, I incorporate various forms of critique in my teaching. Participating in class critiques allows students to gain insight, provide, and receive feedback, and generate a clearer vision for their projects. My class will promote high-order thinking and allow room for exponential growth via written reflections. We will focus on the art making process – both physical and mental, rather than the technical abilities of students. This approach to art fosters an inviting environment where students feel confident to make work that is valuable to them and are safe to talk about their choices openly.
I hope that my passion for visual arts inspires my students to create personally-fulfilling and meaningful art as they navigate and craft their identity, and find their place in the world. My purpose is to prepare youth with skills to become perceptive members of society and foster the creative development of future artists.
