Posts
I have been a teacher my entire life. I went through school observing my educators and discovering that part of me. My teachers always paired me up with my peers to "teach." I was also an Artist. It took until high school for me to realize Art was what I wanted to teach.
I love art. Let me rephrase that, I love the process of creating art and helping others discover those processes, in turn, discovering something unique about themselves and the world around them. Art lends itself to teach anything. Yes, math, english, science, history are all important. But, ART takes those content areas outside the classroom, into the world, to be applied to a greater, enduring understanding. Some argue that art is a support in education, opposed to a "main," critical piece of the learning process. I say art is the main, most critical piece to create a differentiated, interdisciplinary course of learning (every content specialist says that about their field :). All subjects must work together and build on each other to provide what is needed for our students. I believe in process versus product. The process is where the learning takes place. The product is a happy, or not so happy outcome, but what is learned and can be applied to the future is what is important.
I have taught many art classes in galleries, to homeschoolers, and various other venues. The last several years I have been in college studying to become a certified Art Educator in Missouri. I enter my last year this fall, starting student teaching in the spring. I cannot wait to have my own classroom!!
Find more about the importance of Art Education at these awesome organization's websites:
Missouri Art Education Association MAEA and the National Art Education Association NAEA
