---------------(Teaching Philosophy)---------------

I consider myself a lifelong learner at heart. I acquire knowledge not only from my own educational process, but also from engagement with students and colleagues. It is essential that, while I teach visual art skills and principles, I concurrently develop greater social awareness, by paying utmost attention to my student audience.

I believe it is critical to continually evaluate my success as an art teacher by objectively considering what students have learned and been motivated by. Through assessment of their words and artwork, during and after projects, new lessons emerge. This represents the real magic of academia. I am a catalyst, empowering my students to embrace visual art, and develop greater ease and familiarity with various media and tools, with which they can better communicate.

I believe imagination is lost when rules are too rigid, a curriculum too stringent, and a vision too conventional. I will never mislead my students to believe I have all of the answers, nor will I discourage them from seeking alternative solutions; we will embark upon a collaborative exploration. I invite students to raise their own questions and bring insights to the classroom. This is a crucial foundation for innovative thinking in adulthood.

As a practitioner of visual arts, I plan to integrate my personal work into real life lessons to share with my students. By introducing them to my life as an artist (a work in progress much like their own), I can exemplify the powerful potential within the arts (namely, to convey to others a deeper understanding of the human mind and spirit).

I will encourage students to break down social stereotypes and boundaries; I believe this starts with combating the frequent lack of respect for the arts. This, in turn, creates a student body of independent intellectuals with a newfound appreciation for the arts. Through meaningful exposure, students will feel more free to immerse themselves in new materials and media, discovering alternate forms of reflection and speech. This represents the ideal contemporary role of the arts in education.

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