Philosophy of Teaching Art

I believe in an integrated Arts curriculum that is creative and diverse. I bring Art History into everything I teach to give students a foundation in history and to teach them how to analyze and talk about Art. I draw on my background in both traditional and digital arts to incorporate a range of media from drawing to fiber arts, printmaking to 3D Modeling. I teach in a style that is kinesthetic, project-based, and I always allow for differentiation for students that need it.

I am super passionate about STEAM education. Not STEM, but STEAM. I truly feel that Art is the glue that brings all those other subjects together. Through Art, students can learn how to express themselves. They can learn about design. They can learn how to explore technology in interesting ways, delve into science and mathematics in creative ways, and apply traditional core learning in non-traditional ways. I also am always looking for creative ways to incorporate technology into the Art room.

Not every student will be the next Picaso. And not every student that passes through my classroom is going to want to have a career as an artist. That is not my goal. My goals for the students I teach are as follows:

• I want them to develop and hone their art skills. Even if they are not pursuing a career in the Arts, I want them to become better artists, because this will increase the self-confidence and ability to express creatively.

• Even more important than Art skills, I want my students to develop problem-solving skills. Only a small percentage of my students will have what it takes to be a “great artist” but every single student I teach can learn, through Art, how to problem-solve. They will learn how to reflect, how to challenge, and how to revise. These 21st century learning skills will be applicable in any career path they choose. I teach my students to work hard, not to give up, and to learn from their mistakes.

Last, I believe strongly in process over product. That ties in with the goal to teach students to problem-solve. What is most important to me is the journey of making Art, not the end product. I do not expect every finished piece to look perfect or to look like a teacher sample. Students need to make their own choices and follow their own path when creating Art. The Art room should be a safe space where students can explore and grow as artists and as people and Art should open their eyes to a world that is diverse in culture, ideas, and experiences.