teaching philosophy

The best education addresses the needs of the individual student. We need to educate the "whole" student: affective, cognitive, and psychomotor. Students learn best when they are challenged by work that relates to real-life problems. Some classical education is necessary, but the major goal of education is to help students work and live productively in an ever-changing society. We will be teaching children of the twenty-first century. In order for these students to perform well, they will need to be able to think and function in a society run primarily by technology.
The main subject that will meet these needs is art. Through experiences in art, students learn to use their imagination, express themselves, and solve problems. They develop an appreciation of themselves because they feel accomplished after completing a project. Students also learn to engage in conversation by doing collaborative work and sharing their ideas and work. They have an appreciation for art history as well as a love for themselves and others. Computer based art teaches students new skills to survive in a world run by technology. Art projects should also be interdisciplinary so students can see that art is used everywhere. Art education provides experiences to help all students develop as individuals, express their creativity, and aid in problem solving.
The art education programs should be designed to meet all students' levels so that anyone can create a project and have a sense of accomplishment. These programs should be distributed by planned, chronological components of study in art production. The students should learn by studying different cultures, relating lessons to other subjects, and by using their own imagination.
For myself, teaching offers an opportunity for continual learning and growth. One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of learning in my students, as I share my own passion for learning with them. I feel there is a need for compassionate, strong, and devoted individuals who are thrilled about working with children. In our competitive society it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to work with someone who is aware of and responsive to their individual needs. I am such a person and will always strive to be the best educator that I can be.