Teaching Philosophy
"I do not want Art for a few any more than I want education for a few, or freedom for a few."
-Piet Mondrian
​​Art belongs to everyone, and every student is capable of creating meaningful work. My role as a teacher is to empower each student to find their own unique voice in art. In my classroom, art isn't about perfect drawings or museum-quality paintings; instead, it's about embracing the process, celebrating mistakes, and understanding that real growth happens along the journey, not just in the final result.
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Beyond teaching technical skills, art fosters critical thinking, self-expression, and interdisciplinary understanding. The philosopher Elliot Eisner, whose "10 Lessons the Arts Teach" guides my approach, captures this idea well: "The arts enable us to have experience we can have from no other source and through such experience to discover the range and variety of what we are capable of feeling." As an artist and educator, I bring this philosophy into my classroom every day, illustrating and communicating the power of art to open students to new perspectives and emotions.​
Let's face it: being a student is challenging in today's day and age. I aim to make my classroom a supportive space where students feel free to be themselves and escape the pressures of traditional academics. This doesn't mean avoiding challenges altogether; rather, it's about creating a safe environment where students can take risks, explore, and grow. Art provides a therapeutic relief, a break away from daily stressors, and a way to connect with something deeper.
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It's both a joy and an honor to share my passion for art with students, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need not only in the art room but in life. Being a teacher means committing to lifelong learning-staying open, curious, and ever-evolving in my own practice. In doing so, I continuously bring fresh perspectives and tools to the classroom, inspiring students to discover and cultivate their own artistic gifts while empowering them to share their talents with the world.
