Art Education Philosophy

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I believe that all students can learn and succeed in a classroom that balances process and product. In a classroom that values the process of making art, students have the opportunity to explore and investigate materials; to discover their nuances and develop a literacy with each one they encounter. They discover the value of making mistakes and revising those mistakes, a skill that will help them in all areas of their lives. An emphasis on process inevitably leads to a strong product.



All students must be recognized for their work based on their individual personalities, needs, and strengths. Students gain confidence when they create something they are proud of. It is important that they all have the opportunity to share their work and receive constructive criticism from their peers.



Learning how to view and discuss art helps students develop a lifelong relationship to art.  I close each class with a “sharing” so that students develop the skills to talk about their work and the work of their peers. Students learn how to better communicate their ideas and make their work stronger through peer feedback. 



Each student is a unique and capable individual who learns by actively engaging in both the art projects and the creation of the learning atmosphere within the classroom. Classroom routines that place students at the center of the learning experience implicitly teach self-discipline and self-monitoring, taking responsibility for one’s own actions and environment, and accepting and providing constructive criticism.

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Students learn best when projects are relative to their lives and remain connected to the world at large.  I inspire students to create artwork by designing projects that stem from their current interests and topics they are learning about in other classes. I use backwards planning to design lessons around big ideas like identity, consumption, the environment, and cultural mythology.



I teach students that art is diverse as the people who create it. I show students examples of artwork from many different cultures, styles, and ideologies to open their eyes to greater understanding of the world in which we live.



I believe that art allows students to express their individuality and learn about other’s unique perspective.  Making, viewing, and discussing artwork fosters empathy and understanding.