Teaching Philosophy

  When I chose art education as my field of study, I did it to share with others my appreciation and love of art.  After several years of education in the field, my reasons have evolved to include helping children look at life from new and ever broadening perspectives.  Art Education offers numerous ways to reach our students.

One of my main objectives in teaching art is to help children overcome obstacles of fear and apprehension.  This, in turn, can help them to move on to their own successes.  I see a variety of children growing up with poor self-esteem, inferior identity issues and having no sense of purpose.  Art education can supply the necessary framework and experiences to help children understand who they are and how they fit into the world.  Through art, students are exposed to various cultures, artists, and creative processes that can help them to make important connections in their lives.

When students create their own artworks, they look inside themselves for meaning.  Many children are unable to articulate what they need or want.  However, an artistic creation allows them to make a visual statement about their ideas and emotions. Georgia O'Keeffe, the American painter, said, “I found that I could say things with color and shapes that I had no words for.” Art provides another means of communication. Every society expresses their history and lives through art.  Art empowers students to create a personal history through their creativity.

Previously, art teachers would focus on developing skills and training only the artistically gifted.  I believe that art education should always be about enriching the lives of all children and making art an integral part of their lives.  It is my aim that through my teaching, students will learn to be more receptive to the world around them and gain insights into themselves.  I believe that students can use the knowledge and expressiveness derived from art education experiences in all areas of their lives.  I believe that art education can enhance everyone's existence.