Philosophy of Art Education
My philosophy of art education is based on the belief that the purpose of arts education is to motivate students to think and communicate visually and creatively through expression and experimentation. By manipulating skills and techniques learned through art making, students construct their own knowledge of the world. Students develop higher order thinking skills like problem solving, self-discipline, and critical thinking that can translate into success in other areas of life. My role as an art educator is to provide students with individualized opportunities to make connections between art and their own lives. By providing choices for students to follow their interest in art, they find an aspect of art they can relate to. I believe in creating a community as a classroom and encouraging my students to be engaged and connected to the community outside the classroom.
My methods for teaching art are based on the fundamental understanding that every child grows and learns differently and content and learning should be individualized to fit the needs of the child. I believe that students must have control over the direction of their learning with art lesson plans that provide endless ways and opportunities for them to express themselves. My philosophy of teaching is based in the premise that students need numerous opportunities to explore media and concepts, which is why I present through the five senses: touching, moving, listening, seeing, and hearing. Similar to the Reggio Emilia approach in education, success in teaching includes strong child-centered art curriculum with an environment-as-teacher setting. My classroom is designed to give the look and feel of a place where students are comfortable and confident in working.
As an art educator I am also an advocate for the arts. I believe art should be taught as a core curriculum guided by national standards for art and design. In my practice, I am a proponent for arts education as necessary for child development and expanding comprehension between disciplines. Children learn to value equity in education, which translates into skills and ways of thinking that help them to be successful beyond the classroom. I accommodate students by differentiating lessons to fit each student’s individual needs as a learner to help them reach their potential.
I am a firm believer that every child deserves not only an education but also an art education. All students should have the opportunity to explore, create and have control over the direction of their own learning. By teaching my students through contemporary art practice, multicultural art, and a social justice mission, students make connections to art and further construct their knowledge of the ever-changing world around them.