Art plays an important role in student’s lives because art makes us think more deeply, strive more intently, and feel joy more profoundly. To me it encompasses values, ideas, and helps us correlate to each other what the imagination is capable of, without minimizing thought or the power of creation. It brings meaning and purpose to humanity and stretches beyond time periods and cultures. Art impacts all of our lives, even if we are not aware of it. To develop an appreciation of the arts is to develop an appreciation for the life we live.

         I have many goals as an art educator, but the most important goal I have is to help students transition into successful adults with whatever route they choose to take later in life. I feel that the purpose of the arts is often misunderstood. Art is not only important for those that choose to pursue it later on. Art teaches expression, observation, reflection, persistence, problem solving skills, and divergent, creative, and critical thinking. For students to learn these characteristics, they need a stimulating and supportive learning environment where they can grow. I give lessons that students can feel free to make their own decisions and bring their own perspective into their projects, which allows students to express themselves and make guided choices about their artwork. I want to create a positive atmosphere where my students can meet their full potential as artists and as human beings.

         Another goal I have is to implement a variety of media, techniques, and ideas into lessons. I encourage students should try every media accessible to them because trying new things is important for growth. Nobody knows what they like until they try it. That being said, I also allow students to make choices in the media they wish to use. I let my students take control of their projects so that they can feel successful and positive about their artwork. The media that I choose for lessons are merely suggestions for students. I expect a good majority of students to work with the media I choose, but I will never hinder a passionate artist over the media they choose to work with.

         My classroom is very open-ended in which students can connect personally through their choices. They are able to make choices through media and subject matter. I supplement learning through written assignments, sketchbook prompts, PowerPoints, demonstrations, instructional videos, critiques, and reflections as needed. I especially emphasize the importance of art history as we learn from the wisdom of the old masters and the contemporaries leading the art community today. I believe that big effort leads to big results and I instill that mantra on my students. I allow a lot of freedom in my classroom, but students have to prove to me that they are putting in the effort and learning the material to make informed choices. This coincides with persisting through failure because freedom and risks don’t always play out. I believe that people learn best through making mistakes, and that is why I believe that my students should feel confident to take risks and experiment in the classroom. I don’t expect my students to make masterpieces every project, but as long as I can see that my students have put in the effort to try something new, I am ecstatic that they are inspired and discovering their voice.

         My last goal is that students leave my class feeling more confident than when they started, both as artists and as humans. The world is not always a kind place, especially for those who are still developing socially, emotionally, and developmentally. As an empath, I care deeply about my student’s well-being and am always willing to be a confidant to students that need support. I strive to be a positive role model for my students and give them the tools they will need to succeed as they prepare for their futures. I believe that an appreciation of the arts in an appreciation for the life we live, and therefore both must be equally supported. Art is an emotional experience that allows expression, reflection, and observation of our daily life, but it is how we channel these emotions that lead us to be successful artists and human beings.

         My future goal as an educator is to continue my education in art. I believe that to be the best role model for my students is to be a working artist and to prove to them that art doesn’t just have to be a hobby. I want to expand my boundaries of art, and work with different media such as metals, photography, digital, and murals. I also want to learn more art history and inform myself of different cultures throughout time to better connect projects to the cultural needs of my students. I want to be an advocate for arts in the community and make connections with other artists for the success of myself as an artist, my students, and our community. I want to provide my students with the best opportunities I can through knowledge of content area, connections in the community, and being a role model in the arts.