My Teaching Philosophy

My goal of becoming a secondary art teacher is to sustainably support students and help make a positive, equitable differences in our communities, no matter how small that may be. One way I plan to achieve this is by taking inspiration from an andragogical approach. This philosophy will hopefully help students feel respected and give them the freedom to learn in a way that encourages inquiry about their own thinking. When you give students the opportunity to learn on their own terms, you give them opportunities to explore the world around them, which is so important for fostering motivation. This sense of community means there will be a sense of belonging, which will hopefully lead to a lifelong appreciation for art. 

One of the essential aspects to my teaching philosophy is the inclusion of modern technologies and techniques in my classroom. I want to enhance learning and creativity though modern approaches which will help students gain skills that will aid them in today’s society and within our visual culture. I will foster creativity and diversity in our projects all while creating an environment that is safe and inviting, as well as supportive and encouraging. Incorporating culturally diverse art history, aesthetics, criticism, and studio work can reach students in a multidisciplinary fashion while still merging with student interests. My goal is ultimately to share ways of understanding how to love learning, be it through technique, process, or expression, and I want every student to enjoy the journey. 

One of the most important things I would like my students to take away from my class is compassion for themselves, for others, and for the impact of the arts. The mentality that I was brought up in art classes, would drive students to believe they are either good or bad at art, and thus the arts were seen as something beneficial or not at all – this is something I want to change though my advocacy. I want to help all students develop their skills as artists, but more importantly I want them to gain from the process. The practice of creative problem solving is an essential skill in all aspects of life. The creative process opens up the mind of every individual which supports one’s self-expression and identity. If these students can walk away with anything, I want to help them communicate to the world their identity and to do it fearlessly. In addition, I hope to instill in them the interpretative skills to understand the artistic expression of others. Though this process, I believe they will gain life skills that they can carry with them far outside the art classroom.