Every day I walk by a quote hung on the wall of my classroom. It says, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”, by Maya Angelou. When I think of all the teachers I have admired, I am reminded of this heartfelt quote and the impact those teachers have made in my own personal growth.
I had struggled with confidence and feared making mistakes during my academic years. I was not going to be a nurse, nor an engineer and I did not have a clear direction to go towards until a teacher took notice of my creativity. What I gained from this experience was so much more than art techniques alone, but a better understanding of my capabilities through the process of making art.
I have learned that students come in many forms. Some require lots of help and others are more self-guided. I believe a teacher must be prepared for anything and be able to adapt for this reason. Much like educators in the Progressivism movement, I see myself as a facilitator in the classroom guiding the student’s lessons towards what direction they chose to work on. Students will be asked to experiment, and each project will have elements to spark curiosity and inquiry. I plan to share my knowledge and experiences when applicable and relevant to the project at hand. I believe it is important to balance structure as well as giving them freedom and space to create in an art class. To not only grow their artistic and technical abilities but also help build important life skills too. Such as, critical thinking through reflection journals and sketchbook ideation, resourcefulness with the materials at hand, building confidence through the process of making multiple artworks, and collaboration with myself and their peers through gallery walks and critiques.
I want them to know that their unique perspectives are worth expressing and that my classroom is a safe, warm, and creative space for everyone. At the end of the day, I want them to feel good about coming to class. To leave with a sense of pride that they have created something out of nothing, and that learning can be fun. My mission is to continue sharing the gift of learning through the process of creating art, so they may never forget how this class made them feel.
Presently, I am teaching the fundamentals of drawing and painting to students as early as age four all the way to adult in private art studios based in orange county. Through this job, I have continued learning through the act of teaching others and found myself really enjoying being a mentor. I find the journey a student makes from the first day I meet them, to the progress they have made to get to where they are now is the most fascinating and rewarding thing I can witness as a teacher.
My passion for the visual arts and higher art education was ignited because of one teacher’s presence. I will always remember how this made me feel and I am forever grateful for what she has shared with me. She continues to encourage me to bravely go after my goals till this day!
I had struggled with confidence and feared making mistakes during my academic years. I was not going to be a nurse, nor an engineer and I did not have a clear direction to go towards until a teacher took notice of my creativity. What I gained from this experience was so much more than art techniques alone, but a better understanding of my capabilities through the process of making art.
I have learned that students come in many forms. Some require lots of help and others are more self-guided. I believe a teacher must be prepared for anything and be able to adapt for this reason. Much like educators in the Progressivism movement, I see myself as a facilitator in the classroom guiding the student’s lessons towards what direction they chose to work on. Students will be asked to experiment, and each project will have elements to spark curiosity and inquiry. I plan to share my knowledge and experiences when applicable and relevant to the project at hand. I believe it is important to balance structure as well as giving them freedom and space to create in an art class. To not only grow their artistic and technical abilities but also help build important life skills too. Such as, critical thinking through reflection journals and sketchbook ideation, resourcefulness with the materials at hand, building confidence through the process of making multiple artworks, and collaboration with myself and their peers through gallery walks and critiques.
I want them to know that their unique perspectives are worth expressing and that my classroom is a safe, warm, and creative space for everyone. At the end of the day, I want them to feel good about coming to class. To leave with a sense of pride that they have created something out of nothing, and that learning can be fun. My mission is to continue sharing the gift of learning through the process of creating art, so they may never forget how this class made them feel.
Presently, I am teaching the fundamentals of drawing and painting to students as early as age four all the way to adult in private art studios based in orange county. Through this job, I have continued learning through the act of teaching others and found myself really enjoying being a mentor. I find the journey a student makes from the first day I meet them, to the progress they have made to get to where they are now is the most fascinating and rewarding thing I can witness as a teacher.
My passion for the visual arts and higher art education was ignited because of one teacher’s presence. I will always remember how this made me feel and I am forever grateful for what she has shared with me. She continues to encourage me to bravely go after my goals till this day!