Teaching Philosophy

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I have been making art my entire life.  I also teach studio art, participate in local art exhibitions, and create art on commission. I have a strong focus on painting and drawing and I also enjoy working with photography, sculpture, video, and digital arts.  I believe that learning how to be a better photographer and sculptor has also helped improve my painting and drawing skills.  Because of this, I am a strong proponent of continually experimenting with new media.

 

While some of my potential students could become professional artists, that is not my main goal as a teacher.  Instilling a deep appreciation for the arts, teaching problem solving skills, and encouraging self-expression are my main objectives. The three most important tenants to my educational philosophy are studio artmaking, multi-cultural art education, and STEAM education.

 

Going through the process of making a work of art is the foundation of studio artmaking.  Learning to safely use art materials is also of the utmost importance.  Students should learn to conceptualize an idea, develop it, and follow through to create a finished product.  These problem-solving skills could be applied to a multitude of situations that occur after secondary school.

 

Art is the universal language of self-expression and therefore, it spans all cultures and societies. This is why multicultural art education is so important.  In the United States, the history of art is often viewed through the lens of a Eurocentric perspective.  I will incorporate examples of art from Asia, Africa, South America, and other parts of the world will help give the students a broader worldview.

 

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) education is another foundational principle to my teaching philosophy.  By incorporating projects influenced by STEAM we can reference ideas from science, and math. We make a model of a sub-atomic particle or take photographs using mathematical principles such as the “rule of thirds”.  In an increasingly connected world, it is vital that we prepare students for the challenges they will face in the future.

 

Art education helps give relevance and engagement to students during their educational experience.  By teaching at a public school, I can help students of all backgrounds to develop their own unique artistic voices.  Learning the universal language of art sharpens visual perception and improves problem-solving skills.  As I continue my journey as an art educator, I hope to provide guidance and inspiration for my students.