Philosophy of Education:

Art Education is a key component to self-discovery, expression and creativity for students and is an important attribute to the educational system in a multitude of ways. For myself, art was an outlet, an outlet I discovered at a young age that helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life. Art was and continues to be something that I continually look forward to, as I can further develop not only my abilities as an artist but as an art educator as well. Art is subject that is influenced by and throughout all content areas of education, and although it is not considered a core class, it is a class that so many students not only look forward to but are most influenced by throughout their educational careers.

            As an art educator, I strive to not only educate my students on the different styles, techniques, movements, artists, etc. but also to provide a safe and comfortable environment to allow my students to have a unique opportunity for their exploration into the world of art; to use their creative process as a chance for self-discovery and to utilize their lessons outside of the classroom as well as further and throughout their educational careers. I would like to not only enhance and develop my students’ abilities but to also learn from my students. As educators, whether we are art educators, or from another content area, we are continually learning and are forever students; taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from our own students is a chance to further ourselves as instructors but also a chance to provide the greatest environment for their own achievement and success.

            Obviously a key component of art education is the creation process along with different techniques and mediums, but the history of art is equally important as it is continually associated with significant and pivotal points of world history. I do believe that art history is just as important as the creative process and production, without the history of art, we would be significantly lacking how we develop our art and overall creativity throughout the world. Through the encouragement of history along with students’ creative process, the exploration of art within my classroom can help my students and myself better understand the overall abilities of my students, myself and our influences.

            For myself, I have been particularly influenced by the mediums of graphite and painting. Through these mediums I have been able to explore the ideas and concepts of realism, abstraction, detail and so much more. Along with the influence of these mediums I have been continually influenced by the significant impact art has had on my family and our history. I was lucky enough to grow up in a family where art was not only accepted but encouraged as well. My hope as an educator is to allow my own students to feel that very acceptance and encouragement that I have always felt in my own life. Acceptance and encouragement are two crucial impacting factors in a student’s life, and it is important that as educators we continually strive to build acceptance and encouragement in our classroom to help enhance our students’ abilities, development and skill.

            Along with these particular influences of art, I also have been greatly influenced by what many consider to be the greats of the art world. As cliché as it may sound, one significant artist that I find myself continually turning to for inspiration is Leonardo Di Vinci. I have always found myself drawn to him because of his great diversity not only within the world of art but within the worlds of science, literature and so much more. His significant versatility and impact in the world has influenced me to be more open with my artwork. It has made me want to step further outside my comfort zone and has allowed me to explore areas of that I had never been exposed to prior to my college experience. As classic as Leonardo Di Vinci’s work is considered to be, it also can be considered to be the perfect example of incorporating inter-disciplinary ideas and units as well. His incorporation of his ideas and philosophies of the world into his art works was some of the first examples of incorporation, that wasn’t religious during his time, this truly has added a sense of mystery to his works, a mystery that continues to be analyzed in today’s world. And that is something I would like achieve in my own works. To either provide some mystery and realism that will continue to be talked about by the viewers of my work, but also to incorporate similar philosophies and ideas into my own teaching to allow my students to pursue an exploration not only into the world of art but into the surrounding and associating worlds as well.

            Teachers are so often the most impacting and influential person in a student’s life, and it is important that we do everything we can as educators to provide the greatest opportunity for success and achievement for our students. It is equally important to ensure that we are exposing our students to as many mediums, ideas, and opportunities as possible to help ensure that success. I hope to be as influential to my future students as my past, family and artists like Leonardo Di Vinci have been for me.