Philosophy
At its most basic definition “learning” is a change in behavior through experience. As an educator I see one of my main roles as being a facilitator of experience for my students. It was through the activities, projects, and events organized by my personal mentors and educators that I came to be the artist and professional that I am today and it is with their efforts in mind that I hope to pass the torch so to speak and provide a variety of experiences for my students to foster their creative growth.
Offering projects to students that allow for exploration in all media is essential for providing the experience necessary to inspire creative growth. However, learning through doing is not the only approach and to provide the greatest opportunity to students I believe that a variety of assignments and assessment must be provided. Developing an understanding of art history and the inner workings of the fine art world are essential not only to students who plan to pursue careers in the arts but for those who do not. The cultural enrichment value of what an education in art can provide will carry with it value throughout a student’s adult career no matter their discipline.
Ideally as an art educator I would love to see all of my students pursue careers in the art field but that is not realistic. Understanding the vast array of paths my students will take after they leave my classroom is crucial in providing the best education possible. A focus on critical thinking skills, self-resolution methods, creativity, and STEAM learning provides experience that students can apply in their everyday lives, and in non-art careers as well. For those who may be interested in pursing a career in the arts portfolio development will be of focus as well as setting them up with the right institutions, resources, and contacts to successfully enter higher education in the arts.
Throughout my time and education prior to teaching I have had the pleasure to meet and work with a variety of local, national, and international artists and one of my goals will be to host visiting artist workshops so that my students may experience the practices and insight of professional artists as well as make valuable networking connections.
Exposure to art also plays a key role in the development of a young mind and so in addition to the lectors and work that I will expose my students to, trips to museums and exhibitions will be offered as well. Using my experience at writing grants I hope to secure funding to provide exceptional experiences for my students both inside and outside the classroom.
When I think about what my overall approach will be as an art instructor I find myself thinking of a story I was told as a young adult about potatoes and Ireland. The story went that in preindustrial Ireland potato farmers after a harvest would take all the largest potatoes and rather than eat them themselves they would replant them to ensure the next generation a more bountiful crop. I believe as educators we should always put the students first and provide them with the greatest resources and education after all we are investing in our future to ensure that these young minds be ready for the fast past modern world that awaits them.