My teaching philosophy is centered around giving students practical skills that they can transfer into other parts of their life, while also giving them the opportunity to grow creatively. Every student is an artist, whether they consider themselves one or not, and I believe it’s my role as an art educator to help foster that in all students. As a teacher, we’re instructing not only the next big abstract painters and fashion designers, but the new generation of architects, software engineers, carpenters, electricians, and everyone in between. The thing that connects all of these professions is the need to use creative thinking, and the thing that connects all of us is the need for visual literacy. Teaching students the importance of art outside of the classroom is quintessential for me. 

As a multimedia artist, I know the importance of knowing how to handle new mediums. As a child, my creative confidence was enhanced when I knew not only how to use a couple mediums separately, but when I learned the hows-and-whys of using them together. I want to introduce new mediums to my students, new ways of thinking about art - expose them to street art, digital art, performance art, recycled art, and more. My goal is to expand the idea that art has to just be 2D. 

I also believe that learning must be done in a safe and equitable space. I want my students to feel welcome, comfortable, and heard in my classroom. This includes shutting down mean and hateful talk, checking in with all my students, providing space for them to talk to build community, and giving them more autonomy in the classroom. It is important to me to decolonize my curriculum and research sources, and show both historical and contemporary artwork by people of color, women, and LGBTQ people, and include my students in this conversation. It’s critical for students see artists that look like them, that look like people in the room, and like people they’ve never met. The more types of art and artists the better- I believe that’s how to build the most inclusive classroom.