Art Teaching Philosophy Statement
The ultimate goal of an educator is to 'create self-learners on behalf of true freedom of thinking and equity.' (Deborah Meiers, The Power of Their Ideas) I believe that teaching art in elementary and secondary school is necessary for students to develop into creative and critical thinkers, problem solvers, and culturally aware persons, but also to gain a general appreciation and understanding of the arts. Art is not only an individual subject, but can be used as a means to teach and reiterate academic knowledge. Art also allows students to develop as individuals, as members of a democratic society and to understand both locally and globally: history, culture and heritage.
The reasons to teach art transform into the concepts and skills that will be facilitated in my art classroom. Students will participate in lessons that encourage and develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Authentic experiences and lessons in my classroom will give students opportunities to practice and develop these skills further. Students will engage in lessons that integrate the arts into academic disciplines to boost academic growth. Students will be placed in situations that encourage them to apply knowledge from other contents and use life skills to solve art-related issues and create advanced works. Including the opportunity for student choice in my lessons will enable decision making. As the facilitator I will treat all students fairly and develop lessons that reflect each student’s individual needs, address all types of learners, maintain a safe, conducive learning environment, while simultaneously addressing their needs as a group.
Along with development of skills discussed, art allows individual, societal and global development for each student. Individual development is encouraged through self-expression in their works. Students in elementary and secondary school can also use art as a communication tool for complex ideas and feelings they cannot verbally express yet. Art allows each student to be an individual and explore what interests them, while developing tolerance through academic exposure to areas which they have not yet explored in art.
Art also allows students to participate in projects that encourage collaboration and life skills. Development of life skills such as leadership, fairness, tolerance, understanding, collaboration, responsibility, time management and organization can all be addressed through well planned lessons. From these lessons, students will develop skills needed to actively participate and be successful in a democratic society. Art also helps students develop the skills and mindset to prepare for life and future careers. These skills will also prepare them for other economic and social pressures they will encounter in life.
Finally, art provides opportunities to teach students on a global level about history, culture and heritage. Specific, well devised, projects can encourage communication with students in other communities, cities and countries. Students will learn about history, culture and their heritage through these lessons, thus expanding their cultural and global awareness. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, cultural awareness, and art appreciation allow students to develop as individuals, as members of a democratic society and to understand globally, history, culture and heritage. Ultimately, art in the elementary and secondary school curriculum remains an important factor in child and human development on multiple levels.
The reasons to teach art transform into the concepts and skills that will be facilitated in my art classroom. Students will participate in lessons that encourage and develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Authentic experiences and lessons in my classroom will give students opportunities to practice and develop these skills further. Students will engage in lessons that integrate the arts into academic disciplines to boost academic growth. Students will be placed in situations that encourage them to apply knowledge from other contents and use life skills to solve art-related issues and create advanced works. Including the opportunity for student choice in my lessons will enable decision making. As the facilitator I will treat all students fairly and develop lessons that reflect each student’s individual needs, address all types of learners, maintain a safe, conducive learning environment, while simultaneously addressing their needs as a group.
Along with development of skills discussed, art allows individual, societal and global development for each student. Individual development is encouraged through self-expression in their works. Students in elementary and secondary school can also use art as a communication tool for complex ideas and feelings they cannot verbally express yet. Art allows each student to be an individual and explore what interests them, while developing tolerance through academic exposure to areas which they have not yet explored in art.
Art also allows students to participate in projects that encourage collaboration and life skills. Development of life skills such as leadership, fairness, tolerance, understanding, collaboration, responsibility, time management and organization can all be addressed through well planned lessons. From these lessons, students will develop skills needed to actively participate and be successful in a democratic society. Art also helps students develop the skills and mindset to prepare for life and future careers. These skills will also prepare them for other economic and social pressures they will encounter in life.
Finally, art provides opportunities to teach students on a global level about history, culture and heritage. Specific, well devised, projects can encourage communication with students in other communities, cities and countries. Students will learn about history, culture and their heritage through these lessons, thus expanding their cultural and global awareness. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, cultural awareness, and art appreciation allow students to develop as individuals, as members of a democratic society and to understand globally, history, culture and heritage. Ultimately, art in the elementary and secondary school curriculum remains an important factor in child and human development on multiple levels.