Art has always been a big part of my life. As a kid, I was always surrounded by art. My aunt, uncle, and grandpa are all artists, and I spent a lot of time in my grandpa's art studio, making and looking at art. I want to share what I have learned and how art has shaped my life with my future students, as well as the impact that many of my past teachers and professors have had on me in my own art making. 

Art in education isn't just about drawing realistically or all skill based matters. Ultimately, it's about teaching students to see and think like artists. And to teach them how to problem solve, think critically, and view the world from new perspectives. I aim to use art as a vessel to help students grow, not just in their art making skills, but also to help them become upstanding individuals. 

As a teacher, I want to have a student-centric class where students have freedom to create, and I am there to help guide them in their art making process and give them the skills to be able to help interpret what they want to convey in their art making. I want my classroom to focus on experimentation, because it is essential for learning. Mistakes and feedback help us keep improving. I also believe collaboration is important, not just in making art but in building social skills and learning how to work with others. As an artist, working with others can help you see your work in new ways, which is something you might not experience when working alone as most professional artists do. That’s why I want to make collaboration and community a key part of my classroom.

My main goal is to make my classroom a safe place, both physically and emotionally. I want students to feel comfortable taking creative risks and sharing their ideas. From the first day, we will focus on respect and kindness. When grading, I will look at effort, process, and how their ideas have grown, not just the final result. And I hope that students will leave my class more thoughtful, confident, and able to express themselves. Most of all, I want to be understanding. I know every student has different needs and situations, and I want to support them as best as I can. This is just the beginning, and I plan to keep learning and improving my teaching philosophy as I gain more experience.