My Teaching Philosophy
As an art educator, I aim to foster a supportive environment in which students are challenged to learn new skills and techniques while expressing their individual perspectives. It is essential that students be excited about what they are creating, and to understand how they can take techniques and use them thoughtfully to enhance meaning in their work. Learning in visual arts begins with exploration; I encourage students to find joy in the process of getting to know a medium, discovering the possibilities of what they can create. This open-ended process teaches students not only the requisite skills, but to approach art-making with a mindset of innovation, embracing the new and unexpected.
Each project is designed with opportunities for students to make choices about technical and conceptual aspects of their work, aiding them in presenting their stories, interests, ideas, and commentary on the world around them. My aim is always for a class’ projects to all look different from each other, as it demonstrates that every student was thinking deeply and making meaningful choices about their techniques, composition, subject matter, and more.
I believe it is important for students to learn from their peers; class discussions on interpreting works of art offer opportunities to build knowledge as a community, taking various insights from each other and synthesizing them into a unique understanding. Through discussions, students learn that all ideas are valuable; learning to see from another's perspective opens minds and establishes respect and understanding between peers. It is invaluable for students to look at work from artists of all cultures, especially looking at contemporary artists, exploring the ways artists work with different mediums and subjects. By looking at art, students discover their interests and place in the art world at large, and continually expand their understanding of what art can be.
As a practicing artist myself, I am constantly learning more about this discipline. Learning art is a lifelong process, not only about improving technical abilities, but also for learning more about yourself and what you want or need to say through your work. For all the joy that making art can bring, it can also be a difficult and vulnerable experience. Connecting with students by sharing my experience working through artistic problems can help students be more forgiving towards themselves, as they appreciate the journey of growth in the art studio. I hope that every student in my classroom feels like they can take risks and challenge themselves, knowing that myself and their peers will be there, to not only support them through obstacles, but also to celebrate their creative growth as an artist.
