“By offering music and the other arts in the school curriculum we are enriching the lives of the students as well as we preserve our culture and our civilization. We are inculcating a sense of discipline and respect and it into other forms of self-expression that have positive, social impact.”
– Dave Brubeck, Jazz Musician & Composer
Art making makes life rich with wonder and expression, it is empowering, healing and meditative, a personal asset that can never be taken away. The understanding of techniques and mediums can help students build their self-esteem and provide an outlet for dealing with life’s problems. It is the anti-drug, a natural and productive coping mechanism that gives life meaning. My ideas about art education have changed considerably since I began my studies in this area. Through observing seasoned teachers, I learned that I must be very organized, always prepared and psychologically motivated in order to be a successful educator. I am committed to leadership by gaining the support of administration, other teachers, students, parents and the community in order to cultivate and advocate for the arts effectively.
The increased awareness of the credibility of the arts in our schools gives us many concrete reasons to support art education. Arnie Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education said, “Art education is considered a core subject and part of a complete education for all students.” Our students can achieve higher goals by applying art practices, critical thinking and problem solving into their own work. Advanced training in the arts helps to develop attention and intelligence when a person is motivated and creative.
Exploration of our changing nature through our imagination and free expression are all valid and important virtues of a well-rounded citizen. In order to impress these ideals on our constituents and help our students develop habits of mind, higher order and advanced thinking skills, we as educators have to continue to be activists for the arts in our social culture today and for the benefit of future generations.
Studying other art educator’s philosophies and techniques has revealed many possibilities in personal teaching approaches. I especially like Olivia Gude and the Spiral Workshop at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She emphasizes that the primary theme or idea of a project should relate to the student’s own life experiences and be a significant part of their artwork. Gude empowers teenagers by accessing a process-based approach and developing connections to community along with global and multi-cultural themes of race, ethnicity and acceptance. Her encouragement to question ideas and to work collaboratively with students expresses the importance of the arts to the local area and the highlights the creative potential of her students revealed through their work.
My work as an art educator is based on interaction with children and young adults from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. By facilitating a consistent attitude of cooperation and compassion I am able to appreciate each individual’s distinct talents and personality. The role of an art teacher is to be an inspiring model for students by providing current and provocative information to digest and form conclusions, enabling them to generate art as they incorporate the art making process into their lives.
I believe that every human being has essential choices they make everyday effectively controlling their actions. William Glasser, theorist and founder of the Glasser Institute explains that our personal choices are driven by five basic needs present in everyone’s life; survival, power, freedom, fun and love/belonging. Love and belonging is the most important so if we choose to behave in a way that supports love we can remain connected to all others, thus eliminating destructive tendencies and behavior. I agree with the “The Choice Theory” as a viable classroom management philosophy in hopes of empowering students to take control of their lives by always staying connected and being consciously aware of all other people.
Teaching that concentrates on social issues can help students create their own opinions and express them through visual art presentations. It is important too see that our current visual culture is saturated with messages we need to analyze and interpret. In my art room, I will explain the relationship of corporate marketing influences and propaganda presented to us everyday via mass media. By providing a safe and positive classroom environment, I can demonstrate and guide students to become engaged with topics and techniques so they can establish informed opinions and make responsible, mature choices.
I will be sensitive to students that require special attention and respect their limitations, always encouraging growth and scaffolding them into the next level. My goal is to establish connections and build confidence for all students to thrive. By utilizing formative and summative assessment procedures, I can provide relative and encouraging feedback fostering their personal growth.
Current cultural and social issues are excellent subject matter for interdisciplinary studies. Topics of this nature lend themselves to incorporation of various curricula like; social studies, science, economics and psychology. I am open to working with teachers in these areas to develop big ideas and unpacking projects that offer multi-genre lessons related to the subject matter through inter-academic studies.
Collaborative efforts with other area students, artists and scientists can help provide insights for solving problems that can serve as initial steps to a more livable society. This model offers students aesthetic means to address unjust social practices and become more tolerant and accepting of others.
Technology is essential and should be available to students in every classroom to assist in research, recording, and processing of their ideas and imagery. Documenting and posting artwork on school or class websites validates the student’s work and increases participation in these areas. Additionally, I will give students the opportunity to comment constructively on their own and classmate’s artwork. The atmosphere will be encouraging and always open to new mediums and re-purposed materials emphasizing aesthetics and environmental concerns.
The visual arts can motivate individuals to embrace knowledge and develop artistic skill sets that students can benefit from throughout their entire life. As an art educator, I feel that it is my job to promote and enhance the learning of these skills to help students solve problems, analyze current issues and foster positive social change. Deciphering current visual culture and the appreciation of all art forms through exposure, explanation and exploration is equally important. My goals as an artist and educator are to offer encouragement by validating creative efforts and always maintain a high level of respect and dignity for my students and their work.
– Dave Brubeck, Jazz Musician & Composer
Art making makes life rich with wonder and expression, it is empowering, healing and meditative, a personal asset that can never be taken away. The understanding of techniques and mediums can help students build their self-esteem and provide an outlet for dealing with life’s problems. It is the anti-drug, a natural and productive coping mechanism that gives life meaning. My ideas about art education have changed considerably since I began my studies in this area. Through observing seasoned teachers, I learned that I must be very organized, always prepared and psychologically motivated in order to be a successful educator. I am committed to leadership by gaining the support of administration, other teachers, students, parents and the community in order to cultivate and advocate for the arts effectively.
The increased awareness of the credibility of the arts in our schools gives us many concrete reasons to support art education. Arnie Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education said, “Art education is considered a core subject and part of a complete education for all students.” Our students can achieve higher goals by applying art practices, critical thinking and problem solving into their own work. Advanced training in the arts helps to develop attention and intelligence when a person is motivated and creative.
Exploration of our changing nature through our imagination and free expression are all valid and important virtues of a well-rounded citizen. In order to impress these ideals on our constituents and help our students develop habits of mind, higher order and advanced thinking skills, we as educators have to continue to be activists for the arts in our social culture today and for the benefit of future generations.
Studying other art educator’s philosophies and techniques has revealed many possibilities in personal teaching approaches. I especially like Olivia Gude and the Spiral Workshop at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She emphasizes that the primary theme or idea of a project should relate to the student’s own life experiences and be a significant part of their artwork. Gude empowers teenagers by accessing a process-based approach and developing connections to community along with global and multi-cultural themes of race, ethnicity and acceptance. Her encouragement to question ideas and to work collaboratively with students expresses the importance of the arts to the local area and the highlights the creative potential of her students revealed through their work.
My work as an art educator is based on interaction with children and young adults from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. By facilitating a consistent attitude of cooperation and compassion I am able to appreciate each individual’s distinct talents and personality. The role of an art teacher is to be an inspiring model for students by providing current and provocative information to digest and form conclusions, enabling them to generate art as they incorporate the art making process into their lives.
I believe that every human being has essential choices they make everyday effectively controlling their actions. William Glasser, theorist and founder of the Glasser Institute explains that our personal choices are driven by five basic needs present in everyone’s life; survival, power, freedom, fun and love/belonging. Love and belonging is the most important so if we choose to behave in a way that supports love we can remain connected to all others, thus eliminating destructive tendencies and behavior. I agree with the “The Choice Theory” as a viable classroom management philosophy in hopes of empowering students to take control of their lives by always staying connected and being consciously aware of all other people.
Teaching that concentrates on social issues can help students create their own opinions and express them through visual art presentations. It is important too see that our current visual culture is saturated with messages we need to analyze and interpret. In my art room, I will explain the relationship of corporate marketing influences and propaganda presented to us everyday via mass media. By providing a safe and positive classroom environment, I can demonstrate and guide students to become engaged with topics and techniques so they can establish informed opinions and make responsible, mature choices.
I will be sensitive to students that require special attention and respect their limitations, always encouraging growth and scaffolding them into the next level. My goal is to establish connections and build confidence for all students to thrive. By utilizing formative and summative assessment procedures, I can provide relative and encouraging feedback fostering their personal growth.
Current cultural and social issues are excellent subject matter for interdisciplinary studies. Topics of this nature lend themselves to incorporation of various curricula like; social studies, science, economics and psychology. I am open to working with teachers in these areas to develop big ideas and unpacking projects that offer multi-genre lessons related to the subject matter through inter-academic studies.
Collaborative efforts with other area students, artists and scientists can help provide insights for solving problems that can serve as initial steps to a more livable society. This model offers students aesthetic means to address unjust social practices and become more tolerant and accepting of others.
Technology is essential and should be available to students in every classroom to assist in research, recording, and processing of their ideas and imagery. Documenting and posting artwork on school or class websites validates the student’s work and increases participation in these areas. Additionally, I will give students the opportunity to comment constructively on their own and classmate’s artwork. The atmosphere will be encouraging and always open to new mediums and re-purposed materials emphasizing aesthetics and environmental concerns.
The visual arts can motivate individuals to embrace knowledge and develop artistic skill sets that students can benefit from throughout their entire life. As an art educator, I feel that it is my job to promote and enhance the learning of these skills to help students solve problems, analyze current issues and foster positive social change. Deciphering current visual culture and the appreciation of all art forms through exposure, explanation and exploration is equally important. My goals as an artist and educator are to offer encouragement by validating creative efforts and always maintain a high level of respect and dignity for my students and their work.
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