Teaching Philosophy
I teach to empower students. Empowerment happens by giving students the tools and skills necessary for them to succeed. In the art room, critical and creative thinking skills, foundational knowledge in a variety of mediums, and the freedom to explore their own artistic interests are key concepts that lead to success. Success happens when students meet a developmentally appropriate challenge, and they are able to persevere through and come out on the other side feeling accomplished, and having learned from this experience.
Teaching is reflective and responsive. With each new group of students, there will be a unique set of needs, and creating a learning environment where all students feel safe and welcome is essential for them to succeed. Establishing classroom expectations and developing relationships with students creates a space of comfort and allows the instructor to gain a deeper understanding of the student’s needs, personalities, and learning differences. From here, I can meet the students where they are at developmentally. I can differentiate the lesson to best fit what a individual student needs, helping them to succeed at their own level.