Teaching PHILOSOPHY
“... the teacher's task is first to nourish and assist, to watch, encourage, guide, induce, rather than to interfere, prescribe, or restrict.” - Maria Montesorri
Some of the most transformative moments I experienced in an academic setting happened when instructors allowed their students to freely express their creativity through the work that they assigned to them. We were taught the necessary skills we would need to complete our projects and allowed to independently explore our creative capabilities. As a result of these experiences, I believe that if students feel comfortable in doing so they should be allowed the opportunity to tap into this personal side of themselves and showcase it in their work. This can be accomplished by providing students with the essential skills and resources they would need to complete their projects. In doing so, I anticipate that this will prepare students to become critical thinkers and understand how to work independently yet still feel comfortable to ask for help from their instructor or peers when needed. Some students can be reluctant to share their true personality in the classroom in fear of being ridiculed by either their peers or even their instructors. This fear is avoidable when a healthy classroom environment has been established. Students that come into my classroom will feel confident in their unique concepts and artistic capabilities because as a teacher I believe we should create an atmosphere that guides and encourages them rather than dictates and restricts them. As an educator I aspire to create an inclusive classroom environment that welcomes self-awareness; to produce memorable lessons that focus on the physical manipulation of art materials and encourage students to explore personal aesthetics when they approach my assignments.