My Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is first inspired by Abraham Maslow’s humanistic approach. According to the Hierarchy of Needs, self-actualization is the highest peak of creativity. My students’ well-being is considered before anything. Students must feel comfortable expressing themselves, safe, and motivated in the classroom. When I respond to the needs of my students , they can focus on learning and personal development.

My mission is to induce confidence in students to create and to serve as a guide to help develop their personal aesthetics. I enforce the importance of art fundamentals such as the principles of design, color theory, etc.; however, training students to generate ideas that represent their originality is equally important. I aim to help students discover their favorite mediums, techniques, and art eras. I encourage experimentation in all art materials. A student cannot reach their fullest potential in authentic art-making if they are not tapping into self-exploration. Critical thinking and metacognitive teaching practices are implemented in my teaching style. I use self-reflection activities as a guide during mid-process and formative assessments to make the process student-centered. 

Community-based learning is significant to me as well. It is a top priority that my students find identity in the things that they create. As a teacher, I must be active in learning from every student so that I best represent their interest, cultures, and backgrounds in the curriculum that I teach. I will implement and expose my students to local art galleries, museums, non-profits, libraries, and outreach programs. It is significant that students develop real-world problem-solving skills. 

My goal is to help connect what they are learning in the classroom to the communities that they live in. I encourage my students to see all different perspectives in the realm of art. I influence art advocacy, learning the importance of the art economy, and being knowledgeable on the variety of jobs in the creative field. Students need exposure to the art world in their communities. While every student I teach may not pursue art professionally, I hope to evoke a habit of creative collaboration and a profound appreciation for art in their lives.