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My Philosophy of Teaching
Everyone is an artist if given the opportunity, inspiration, and instruction. There are infinite combinations of mediums and content possibilities that eventually young artists will find the right combination they can enjoy and excel in. Too many students and adults have said, "I can't draw." I always respond by saying, "Good thing there are so many more ways you can make art!" I love getting the opportunity to introduce young artists to new techniques, styles, and media in order to express their own artistic point of view. Whether get their hands dirty with ceramics or staying clean using graphic design or photography, learning the precise art of stained glass or the forgiving and soft fiber arts, learning color theory with paint or creating three-dimensions with collage, my experience is extensive. Most important is seeing students' faces light up when they discover the right mix for them. It's the reason I teach.
I believe connecting learning across disciplines adds to student success and fosters life-long learning. For example, combining geometry and sewing or painting with the physics of volcanoes. I also make sure to scaffold projects, using the design process, making sure to plan visual, oral, and kinetic lesson delivery methods, and with diversity of pacing in order to reach a diverse classroom of student artists. I spent many years teaching at IB schools and have seen the benefits of connecting learning and providing multiple learning pathways to keep all students motivated to learn and create art.
I believe in teaching a well-rounded curriculum, including art technique, history, cultural and gender diversity, service learning projects, as well as personal expression. Giving back to your community through art is a powerful gift for everyone involved. I love when my class has taken a printmaking project, made cards, and sold them to give to a nonprofit of the students' choice. Or when we made environmental activism posters to print onto recyclable shopping bags to sell to their community. My students always inspire me to find innovative ways to not only provide them with exciting projects but to find new ways to create art for a purpose.
My teaching experience goes above and beyond teaching visual art. I have also mentored and trained dance and theatre instructors, trained and taught in the International Baccalaureate Program, developed programs for students with disabilities, and directed and choreographed musicals for kids. I'm a Renaissance girl that has a unique set of teaching skills. My various art teaching experiences have increased my ability to be a flexible, organized, and creative arts instructor.
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