Philosophy of education

Introduction

My greatest passion is art; to talk about art of all different types, from all over the world because of the impact it has on our society in the past, present, and future. I am also passionate about the history of art, the aesthetics and the process. The reason for art education, I believe, is to help children practice skills for life, so they may reach their fullest potential. The four C’s of 21st Century skills: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication, are the foundation of every lesson taught within my art classroom. My enthusiastic teaching style will reach each student in its own unique way. In my classroom, the focus is on teaching art, but not just the basic foundations but also the life skills they need to succeed.

Classroom Environment:

Fun/positive outlook: Art is the elective class, the creative time from intense core subjects, and the hands-on class where they can be themselves. I encourage students to come into art with an open mind, ready and willing to learn differently than the other subjects of the day. If you approach art and creativity with a positive outlook you will be more engaged and successful.

Mutual respect: Educators are real people and so is every student. We will respect the classroom, other students, and most importantly ourselves. This encourages the growth of trust, understanding, patience, and learning. Requiring respect in the classroom also promotes ownership for the students. If you give them more responsibility and ownership of their classroom and school, they will be more apt to take control of their own learning and their lives.

Google Classroom: I have learned over the past year that the art classroom is just not four walls with tables and students. I have had the experience of leaving my comfortable classroom and expanding into the virtual one. Google Classroom is a tool that I have used for years, where students are informed, and can look back on the lessons and examples for each assignment. I have expanded my Classroom into much more than just a file cabinet. The extensions that Google has to offer has helped me incorporate much more technology into my art lessons. Using the basic applications for students to collaborate and communicate and artistic programs as Sketch up, Jam board and Drawing have shown students that art is so much more than they originally thought.

Flexibility: Flexibility or openness to change is extremely important in art. Sometimes I have an idea for an art project, and it just does not work out the way I want it to go. Flexibility allows me to make adjustments as I see fit. Whether it is in my art lessons or in my own works of art. Students can use art to practice flexibility, along with problem solving and creative thinking skills. Me being flexible, the art making process being flexible and students learning these skills will create more engagement in them.

Assessment:

Art is doing! Having students answer questions, and visually reflect and sketch in through art is a great assessment. This teaches them how to utilize visual images to express themselves properly. I believe when a student has knowledge of vocabulary, they will be able to fully understand the subject. In art, when art specific terms are given and they are applied to a project, students can show their knowledge of information visually.

Role of reflection: Feedback must be given in various forms in the art classroom. Feedback can include when walking around giving individual suggestions to work. Each work of art always has an artist statement for students to reflect on what they have learned, how they created their idea visually and what they could improve on for next time.

Depth of Knowledge: Utilizing all of the various forms of assessment in some way, throughout class is very important. Students respond in very different ways to different ways of instruction and assessment. Grading off of various inquiry questions, such as a rubric, can be a good way for students to learn how to further reflect and critique their work, and learn more about the big picture and how art relates to the world. Utilizing the standards in grading helps me keep the big picture in mind as well as helps students understand why they are doing what they are doing.

Personal: Creating art involves choice and it can be a personal choice. When students are able to create personal meaningful subjects into visual images is when the most engagement comes from students to choose what they want to do so the work is stronger. Teaching them how art is around and can be directly related to them also gives them an immediate understanding of how art can be applicable to them and the world around them.

Professional Responsibilities

Be creative! Create art!

I believe that it is my professional responsibility to continue producing artwork and being creative as an art educator. I fully believe in practicing what I preach. This gives me credibility with my students and keeps me inspired and energized to teach art.

Be on time, prepared, and professional: This applies to any professional job, but my students are counting on me to be there. When they come to class, they expect to learn and to be engaged. It is my responsibility to cater to this need to the best of your abilities.

I am an employee: I think that reminding myself that I am still an employee of a business is important to keep in mind. Sometimes I find myself getting caught up in what’s just happening in my classroom. Reminding myself helps keep me responsible, professional, and prepared for the job.

Role model for students: One of the biggest responsibilities of an educator is to be a positive role model for the students. An educator should exemplify the person they want their students to become. You have to be respectful, prepared, empathetic, patient, understanding, successful, productive, organized, and a good communicator as an educator. All of these qualities are needed in order to be a successful educator, student, and member of society. These qualities are a vital responsibility and requirement and a professional within the schools.

I am a public figure: While teaching I have run into a couple of families and multiple students around town. Before teaching I didn’t realize how much of a public figure I am and how much parents and students look at you in the schools and within the community. You must carry yourself as a professional at all times, even when you are not in the classroom.

Confidence: When I have planned and are prepared, I feel professionally confident to teach my students. I believe that teaching with confidence is vital and students are much more apt to learn and be engaged if I know what I am talking about. “If I dress for the part, I will be prepared for the part”.

Classroom design

I think that organization is extremely important in an art classroom. You have to have a system of organization that is easy for students to understand. Teaching quality time to students on how to use the classroom and where supplies and materials are kept will save you time as well because students will be able utilize the resources for art projects.

Differentiation and accommodation: I have found that when you plan and prepare for your lessons, and you know your students, accommodating and differentiating for them becomes much like second nature. When I give directions and requirements for a lesson, I give choice and variation, as art is. Students for the most part know if they modify the assignment to make it more appropriate for themselves. By giving them a choice they do not feel excluded and more comfortable in the assignment because they got to choose. Everyone learns differently, as a catalyst it is important to take time to teach every child in different ways.

Safety First: Safety is the most important design in an art classroom. Safety means learning in a safe environment and also using materials safely and appropriately. Whenever there is a safety concern with materials or tools within a lesson, the precautions will be explained before and during the lesson multiple times. The students and I will be expected to create a safe environment for each other based on understanding and mutual respect.

Creating Community

I think that creating a community starts on the first day of class. Spending those first days should be getting to know each other, the educator, the classroom, and the expectations for the year is vital. Being open and honest from the beginning will help your students trust you as a educator and aid in better communication.

Being in contact with parents and setting up communication from the beginning is vital as well. This sets the tone for the rest of the year. This communication is most important for the development and growth of the students. It takes a village, to work together, to help them grow!