My Teaching Philosophy

My approach to teaching art is rooted in its therapeutic benefits as a creative outlet and form of therapy and emotional expression. In my lessons, I draw attention to the importance of imagination in the creative process and how every individual perceives the world differently. As a result of varied perception, students often have very different approaches to project prompts, which I not only welcome but encourage. I urge my students to think outside the box and experiment with subject matter, materials, concepts, and more. I intend to be a positive role model for my students and a resource and sounding board for their artistic ideas and endeavors, always inspiring them to stay true to who they are.
 

It is my greatest goal as a teacher to share my passion for art and for that passion to translate into my teaching, and as a result, into my students. I want the art room to be a place where children feel seen, accepted, and excited. I encourage teamwork and collaboration in the creation process as well as a focus on process-art rather than a sole focus on the end result. Real-world application in the art room is also very important to me, so that students can understand the true significance of what they are learning. I often incorporate nature and students' personal experiences within nature into my art lessons, emphasizing the use of memory as an artistic tool.

Lastly, I challenge my students to take risks artistically and push themselves outside of their comfort zone so that they can grow and find confidence in their own unique voice.