Philosophy

I BELIEVE IN STUDENT-CENTERED, INQUIRY BASED EDUCATION. It is crucial for students to take ownership of their learning, as student driven discovery leads to deeper engagement and understanding. My role as a teacher is to facilitate and provide the necessary environment, experiences, and tools to participate in authentic learning experiences.

I INSPIRE CREATIVITY THROUGH PROCESS, PLAY, AND EXPLORATION. Creativity is the foundation of the arts, as it enables individuals to think critically, tackle challenges, be independent, and imagine possibilities. I wish for my students to explore and learn through the artistic process; to do this, I aid development with thorough unit planning, consideration of each individual student, and varied choice in artistic experiences.

I WANT MY STUDENTS TO BE REFLECTIVE, CONFIDENT, AND OPEN-MINDED INDIVIDUALS. By developing an understanding and appreciation of self, students can grow as reflective individuals. In our increasingly interconnected world, it is important to be self-aware and explore new perspectives with open-mindedness, even when it causes discomfort. This enables students to embrace the connections across people, ideas, and perspectives.

I ASPIRE TO BE A LIFE-LONG STUDENT AND ARTIST. ​ In maintaining a reflective practice, I live the dual role as participant and observer in the classroom. As an artist, it is my goal to continuously explore and create. By participating in professional development, I am consistently reflecting on my practice and pedagogy. Most importantly, I am inspired by my students’ discoveries and use their different perspectives to assess and strengthen my understanding, approach, and philosophy.