Teaching Philosophy Statement

 

            Teaching puts an art educator in a metaphorical island. While their there, art teachers have the untapped resources to show students diversity, understanding, appreciation, while their in this colorful environment.  Setting ground rules in assignments and allowing students to have the freedom and creativity in their own work will make their imaginations more enjoying to be in while making art. I feel the key elements of making this vision manifest is using humor, discussions, and the freedom that will help the students through the explorations in the fields of the art world.

 

            There are core lessons an educator should pass on through to his/her students through out the year. Students should value an open mind on any topic in class. Respect the open opinions of those that come from a diverse background. To keep an open mind on what is being taught in class. A subject in history has multiple meanings and versions to what really is the truth. Broadening student's minds will help them understand more than a one point perspective on life.

 

            Working with a wide range of students with such a strong diverse background, I believe in a practical approach with such a classroom. Engaging students with one question leading towards the lesson in the beginning of class, gets them engaged, alert, motivated and curious toward what is about to be taught in class. I like to show an umbrella of approaches when teaching a subject my self. I like to show visuals (videos, pictures, books, etc) from other countries, and how they see the topic as I explain it to the class from that countries point of view. This helps students understand that there is more than one way to see and understand a subject in a diverse environment. After all the visuals are shown, I always like to go into a short discussion. The discussions are good for students to express their thoughts, and concerns to what they have seen to better understand what they are being taught. The umbrella finally closes with a group activity that will lead into the assignment. These activities last around 15 minutes pending on what topic I plan to head into. As I go into every assignment, I show as many examples as I can, so the students will have a grasp the purpose for the assignment. Labs are days where the class can work on their individual, or group projects. This allows me to walk around and help those that are struggling, and need assistance on the assignment. This is also a great time to have open ended questions on when assignments are due, what mediums are to be used, etc.

 

            Finally, being able to inspire student in a positive environment keeps me going as a teacher. To express ones self visually through art is not easy to do, but to see how a young mind perceives their own imagination on canvas is amazing to witness. We will never stop learning, and we will always push ourselves to excel at what ever we do in life. If I can help students understand multiple meanings in any subject, freely use their creativity to express who they are individually, not to be intimidated by trying new art forms, then I feel I have done my job as an art teacher.