Teaching

My Teaching Philosophy

I want my art classroom to be a place where students feel comfortable being themselves and expressing their ideas. I don’t believe there is only one right way to make art, and I want my students to feel like their own ideas are important.

I want my students to be able to try new things, make mistakes, and experiment without being afraid of getting something wrong. Art should be a place where students can be creative and have fun while also learning new skills.

I also think it is important to get to know my students because everyone learns differently. I want to be flexible and find different ways to help students understand a project and feel successful.

Lesson Plans & Projects

I enjoy creating art lessons that allow students to be creative while still learning different skills and techniques. I especially like projects where students have choices and can make the artwork their own.

One lesson I created focuses on identity through collage. Students can use pictures, colors, words, patterns, and symbols to show different parts of who they are. I like this idea because students can decide how much they want to share and can make the project personal in their own way.

I want my lessons to give students enough direction to understand the project but also enough freedom to make their own choices.

Fieldwork & Classroom Experience

My classroom observations have helped me understand what it is really like to teach art. I have had the opportunity to observe different art classes and see students work with drawing, ceramics, printmaking, and other materials.

One thing I have learned is that teaching art is more than just showing students how to make something. Teachers also have to create a comfortable classroom, help students when they need it, and give them enough independence to figure things out on their own.

Seeing different teachers and classrooms has helped me think about the kind of teacher I want to become.

Inclusive Art Education

I want every student to feel like they belong in the art classroom. I know that students learn and work in different ways, so I think it is important to be willing to make changes when needed.

This could mean using visual directions, demonstrations, different materials, extra support, or giving students choices in how they complete a project. I want to focus on what each student can do and help them find a way to be successful.

I believe art should be accessible to everyone.

My Future Classroom

When I picture my future classroom, I imagine a space that is colorful, welcoming, and comfortable. I want students to walk into the room and feel like they can be creative and be themselves.

I would like materials to be organized and easy to find, with different areas where students can work independently or with other students. I also want students to be able to see and celebrate each other’s artwork.

Most importantly, I want my classroom to feel like a safe place where students know their ideas and creativity matter.

How I Like to Teach

Some of the things I want to include in my teaching are:

• Student choice: Letting students make their own creative decisions.
• Hands-on learning: Giving students time to actually make and experiment.
• Inquiry: Encouraging students to ask questions and figure things out.
• Visual examples: Showing students examples and demonstrations to help them understand.
• Flexibility: Understanding that students may need different types of support.
• Reflection: Giving students time to think about their artwork and what they learned.

I don’t want every student to make the exact same artwork. I want to give them the tools and skills they need and then let them make the project their own.

My Growth as a Teacher

I am still learning and figuring out what kind of teacher I want to be. My own artwork, classroom observations, and experiences have all helped me learn more about teaching.

I know I will continue learning as I gain more experience. I want to be a teacher who listens to students, is patient and understanding, and is willing to try different things when something isn’t working.

My goal is to create an art classroom where students feel comfortable, included, and excited to create.