As an art educator, my philosophy is grounded in the belief that every student is unique with their own talents, experiences and interests. My goal is to create creative problem solvers, that can think outside of the box and become who they are meet to be. Art is a powerful lens for which to see the world and to better become ourselves.

“Art has the role in education of helping children become

like themselves instead of more like everyone else.”

Sydney Gurewitz Clemens

As a teacher, my most important job is to create a welcoming environment where students can experiment and take risks without fear of failure. I strive to provide them with access to a wide variety of materials, techniques and art history knowledge. I will focus on teaching contemporary artists, connecting students to current social issues, and making art relevant by showcasing diverse, living artist. Moving beyond traditional canons to show that anyone can be an artist, encourages experimentation with new mediums, and helping students see art as a dynamic, ongoing conversation.

The classroom is a place to let students feel like they can fail without the fear of being a failure. Valuing the creative journey, experimentation, and critical thinking over the final artwork. Creating a classroom where questions matter more than answers.

As an individual, Im always growing and learning. I attend conferences, read books, go to museums, take counting education classes and work on my own artwork. My commitment to growing is an example to my students to be life long learners and to remain curious.