Teaching Philosophy

The significance of creativity was instilled in me from a young age, when I had a teacher who let art influence every lesson she taught. We illustrated the animals we were learning about in science and used paint to understand shapes. For someone who struggles with traditional learning, the inclusion of art made it incredibly engaging for my young developing mind. 

Over time, it’s become abundantly clear to me how important it is that art is accessible. The world of art welcomes people of any age, gender, race, class, and so on– all it takes is a creative mind and motivation. Arts education provides an outlet for all artists, guaranteeing that they have a space in the world to create. 

Additionally, as an arts educator, it’s my responsibility to ensure every student feels as though everything they contribute is valuable. I want each individual to feel safe and comfortable enough to share anything on their mind. Educators learn from students just as much as students do from educators— it’s about partnership, equality, and shared curiosity– never dominance. I also want my students to feel empowered. Whether or not they thrive in academics or athletics, I hope they’re able to walk into my classroom and feel proud of what they create. Every voice deserves to be amplified, even if their messages are conveyed through art instead of words.