Teaching Philosophy
Art. “The use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others” (Encyclopedia Britannica)
A true definition of art is hard to come by. How do you describe the journey that an individual makes as they progress from a naïve child artist to an adult educated in the disciplines of the practice of art making? My personal journey began as a young child interested in the discovery of creating. This early inclination to explore the materials and subjects of my surroundings led me beyond the basics of a coloring book into a variety of modes of expression. Whether it involved creating my own accessory for my Barbie doll collection or making a birthday card for a friend, I found the motivation to create from my imagination. Upon entering school, the skills that I had explored on my own were refined as I was introduced to a variety of new techniques and processes dealing with art. The projects that I made in the art classroom and in my other disciplines excited my creative mind and gave me enjoyment. As I continued to grow as an artist and as a student, I found that art was a significant and meaningful part of my life.
Many people go through life stuck in jobs that they are not passionate about. As I began to contemplate my future, I looked for ways to incorporate my interests with my career. The perfect solution seemed to be art education. I wanted to pursue a career path that would allow me to utilize my interest in art to help others. I believe that children are like sponges ready to absorb the world around them and the knowledge that teachers have to guide them. While every child may not share my passion of art, there is a place for each individual in the art classroom. Through proper teaching and exposure to a variety of styles, artists, and art works each child can find their niche as an artist. In a society where children are often forced to grow up quickly, art serves as a means of support and as a distraction to the chaos of the world. Children often have limited outlets to deal with the stresses in their lives and through art education; they are given a safe and creative environment to express themselves.
I will continue to create my own definition of art through my personal journey and catalogue of experiences. I will forever be a student, creator, and observer of the art world. My personal endeavors will add to the curriculum that I bring to my classroom and will enhance the quality of education that I bring to my students. However, as a teacher of art my primary goal is to learn each day from my students. It is through the observation and interaction with the children that I teach that I will complete my journey. My hope is that through this process I will be able to expose the children that enter my classroom to new perspectives and modes of thinking that will inspire their own definitions of art as it relates to their own lives.