Everyone deserves the opportunity to make art. Art education allows students to increase positive attitudes towards self, others, and the environment through the creative process. As an art teacher, it is my responsibility to create a safe environment, promote cultural differences and acceptance through diversity, as well as teach art history, aesthetics, processes and art criticism.
In order to learn or create students must feel at ease in their environment. Managing a classroom is a constant effort and without control, students will not learn. Objectives are to be clearly communicated with consequences, therefore mutual respect results. The art room is where students who don’t necessarily do well in math or language arts can shine. In order to build students’ self-confidence and individual style, they need to feel relaxed in order to express themselves. It is my responsibility to instill this environment of mutual respect so that learning can happen.
Art is about embracing different cultures and accepting the diversity of the world around us. Being tolerant of others and understanding each other is a life skill, that needs to be modeled by adults. Appreciating art is appreciating people. Through art education, students learn about different cultures’ art, history, and lifestyles.
By learning art history, students connect the influences made by world history and cultural influences. Looking at different cultures, students understand their struggles and triumphs. Use of materials and subject matter are not arbitrary but traditional for many cultures that are passed down for generations. Students need to understand that everyone is an individual; therefore everyone is different. To encourage and respect one’s individuality is vital to a cohesive classroom as well as community.
Students’ aesthetics are broadened by exposure to different cultures and to people different from them. What students value will change as they grow and mature. Understanding and appreciating people goes hand-in-hand with art education. Having the vocabulary to express oneself plus the ability to communicate respectfully starts in the classroom and hopefully spills out into one’s life. Being able to give and take constructive criticism is an other life skill.
The primary focus in the art room is to expose the students to as many processes as possible. Sculpture, printmaking, painting, ceramics, photography, film making, and fabric arts are just the surface of the multiple processes that can be taught in the classroom. My enthusiasm to share all I know is the reason why I have gone into teaching. Children develop at different rates and have different interests. Being aware and sensitive to these issues is a multi-faceted skill all teachers should have.
I believe art needs to relate to all children and their own experiences. Creating a safe environment where students can express themselves is paramount. Finally, giving students the skills to express themselves through visual art is my goal.
My Resume
Experience-
Strath Haven Middle School - Wallingford, PA
Teaching Assistant / Personal Care Assistant
Roots and Wings Art Teacher
Strata Graphics, Inc. - Conshohocken, PA
Accounts Manager
Freelance Graphic Designer-
EPCO Communications -Easton, PA
Customer Service Representative
Education-
Rhode Island School of Design- Providence, RI 1987 - 1990 Bachelor of Fine Arts - Painting European Honors Program- Rome, Italy 1989 - 1990 The Aegean School - internship Paros, Greece Winter 1989
University of Massachusetts- Amherst, MA 1986 - 1987 Freshmen Foundation in Visual Arts
Awards-
Certificate of Merit-
Wallingford- Swarthmore School District Spring of 2005
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