Teaching Philosophy
The pedagogies I personally identify with as an educator are Progressivism and Reconstructionism. As a progressivist, the student’s interest and personal growth are important to me. I believe learners should be active and learn to solve problems by reflecting on their own experiences. As a reconstructionist, I believe that schools play an important role in shaping and transforming society. Education should be used to promote social justice and empower the voices of marginalized groups.
Anyone can be an artist as long as they have the will to create.
After a successful career of almost two decades working in the fashion industry, I decided to pursue a new career in art education because art is where my heart and passion lies. Last year, I realized I wasn't finding as much joy in my job as I use to and I wanted to do something that I'm excited about when I wake up every morning. I've always wanted to be a teacher and I know becoming one and helping the youth is my true calling.
One of my earliest memories of when my love for art started was when I was in third grade and begged my parents to sign me up for a landscape painting class after school at the local community center (pictured below is one of my paintings from that class). We didn't have much money at the time and it was an evening class for all ages (I'd be sitting next to adults)-- so I had to really convince them. From elementary school to high school and all throughout college, I connected with my art teachers the most. They were my heroes. I owe most of my career success to the teachers that supported me.
One of my earliest memories of when my love for art started was when I was in third grade and begged my parents to sign me up for a landscape painting class after school at the local community center (pictured below is one of my paintings from that class). We didn't have much money at the time and it was an evening class for all ages (I'd be sitting next to adults)-- so I had to really convince them. From elementary school to high school and all throughout college, I connected with my art teachers the most. They were my heroes. I owe most of my career success to the teachers that supported me.
Connect before trying to correct.
As an art teacher, I aim to establish strong connections with my students and help them flourish their creative skills so that they can become successful in their careers and grow to be confident, caring, open-minded adults. I believe it is my responsibility to create a positive learning environment, curate the curriculum to students’ individual learning styles, and provide a progressive learning environment where students learn in community, collaboration, and through visual thinking strategies (VTS). Some examples of my instructional strategies are having students work on projects with personal meaning to them and leading with placing their voice in the classroom to teach their peers about their personal culture and identity. Another example would be providing several project-based learning assignments throughout the year where students work together in small groups to learn teamwork and build effective communication skills.
Growing up in the U.S. with immigrant parents, having lived in various parts of the country and abroad in Europe, I will bring my support for multicultural experiences to the classroom. I believe in empowering students to solve problems through critical and creative thinking and to participate fully in a diverse, global society. I aim to practice Culturally Responsive Classroom Management (CRCM) to provide all students with equitable opportunities for learning.
Collaborating and developing lesson plans with educators throughout the school to enhance the STEAM curriculum is also important to me as I believe art-making plays a crucial role in aiding the student’s learning success in other subjects. The process of creating art encourages students to learn problem-solving on their own and build resilience. Art teaches focus and perseverance and helps students manage their expectations—they learn that the creative process is something that is developed over time and mastering a skill doesn’t happen overnight. As a teacher, I help students learn to see their ideas through to the end, which is a crucial skill to have in order to be successful in their future careers. Creating also means learning to make decisions and artmaking incorporates innovation.
Overall, I hope to be an encouraging source to students and guide them to tap into their fullest potential and help them realize that they have boundless capabilities in achieving their dreams. I will support them to believe in themselves and learn to reflect on their own experiences to be empowered to achieve their own learning success.
Growing up in the U.S. with immigrant parents, having lived in various parts of the country and abroad in Europe, I will bring my support for multicultural experiences to the classroom. I believe in empowering students to solve problems through critical and creative thinking and to participate fully in a diverse, global society. I aim to practice Culturally Responsive Classroom Management (CRCM) to provide all students with equitable opportunities for learning.
Collaborating and developing lesson plans with educators throughout the school to enhance the STEAM curriculum is also important to me as I believe art-making plays a crucial role in aiding the student’s learning success in other subjects. The process of creating art encourages students to learn problem-solving on their own and build resilience. Art teaches focus and perseverance and helps students manage their expectations—they learn that the creative process is something that is developed over time and mastering a skill doesn’t happen overnight. As a teacher, I help students learn to see their ideas through to the end, which is a crucial skill to have in order to be successful in their future careers. Creating also means learning to make decisions and artmaking incorporates innovation.
Overall, I hope to be an encouraging source to students and guide them to tap into their fullest potential and help them realize that they have boundless capabilities in achieving their dreams. I will support them to believe in themselves and learn to reflect on their own experiences to be empowered to achieve their own learning success.