As educators, cultivating an environment in which the future generations can be shaped into their best selves is at the forefront of my responsibilities. Supporting students who are unafraid of pursuing their creative thoughts and offering the resources and knowledge necessary is imperative for this goal. Creativity is at the root of all aspects of life and the development of those skills is vital in the development of young artists. Facilitating this environment through research based lessons, fine tuned artistic skills, and a drive to create that can inspire my students is how I maintain a supportive and reassuring environment, one in which the students can pursue their unfiltered thoughts and ideas.
As an artist teacher, my role is to create this environment within the classroom. Guiding students to discover their own creative voices. Art making supports students' cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. I am intentional while lesson planning to ensure my students can relate to the artists discussed, ensuring a wide range of cultural backgrounds, mediums, and philosophies. I assist students in overcoming the barriers of not being amazing at art through maintaining a growth mindset. All artists start out as beginners: even if art is not a student's end career goal, I strongly believe that students will be able to make use of the knowledge I share within everyday life. Self expression through a student's own hands encourages the development of a student's identity, voice, and cultural impact within the community.
Within the art classroom, students will be encouraged to grow and shape their ideas. Finding an aspect of life that students feel strongly towards and giving them an outlet to express those feelings is important for my long term goals of establishing a healthy creative outlet for those feelings. Students are encouraged to try new things, take risks, learn, adapt and grow within the art classroom. One on one assistance, group critiques, self reflection, and independent work are all tools I utilize to nurture this creative development.
All students should be given the opportunity to experience a thoughtful and exciting classroom environment while developing their skills as young artists. Guiding my students' success with the best possible instruction and resources in order to always maximize their success will always be my top priority. I believe that with the knowledge and tools I have acquired, I am confident in my ability to maintain these high expectations that I have set for myself and future students.
