Teaching Philosophy
Taking the leap to become an art education major after three years of graphic design was a rewarding decision. Since the early part of my school career I have enjoyed helping others and working with kids. After working through a graphic design internship I reflected on the integrity of my work and how fulfilled I felt by it. As rewarding it felt, I noticed there was still something missing. I quickly realized that what was missing was the passion for the work. I wanted to be more impactful in my work. That is when I decided that teaching could be a better option. The only way to find out would be to work with children.
Over the summer of 2019 I worked for the YMCA in lowell MA as the art specialist. I was able to have my own classroom and make my own lesson plans. For example, I taught the older children making oil pastels with watercolor. They would write/draw something with white oil pastel, then they would use the watercolor over it. The watercolor washes over the oil pastels showing it through. The first couple days were challenging, trying to understand what was expected of me and what kind of crafts I should do with these Children; after the first week it got much easier. I taught them different ways to use art. Watercolor and oil paint, tie dye, etc.
Being a teacher Lowell Massachusetts means that you see a diverse group of children. A good portion of them were African American, some were Portugese; Making sure inclusion in the classroom is an important thing. When kids would finish their projects earlier, they could color in some color sheets I made for them. A couple of color sheets I made were a boy or a girl. I had made two boys and two girls; one having curly hair up in two small buns, and the other with long straight hair. I also made two boys; one with straight shaggy hair, the other with curly hair with buzzed sides. Some kids would come up to me with brightened smiles on their faces told me I did a good job.
Some strategies I have learned to be successful in keeping the kids on task is to have a fun statement to get their attention. For example I would say one, two, three eyes on me. Then the children would say one two eyes on you. Another way to keep students engaged is to ask them questions about the topic. As well as offering them to help with demonstrations. I have found this to be helpful because students enjoy helping; they need structure. One way where I can manage my classroom is by giving everyone a job. At the end of each class before they leave they are in charge of one duty. One student can be in charge of paintbrushes, and another is organizing the paper. It gives the students a sense of responsibility and accountability.
Classroom Management Philosophy
The role of the teacher is to keep a peaceful environment where students can create. The teacher is there to guide the students towards their artistic goals. Within the classroom I believe that mindfulness is essential to a student's wellbeing and mental health. Teaching mindfulness can snowball into them being able to help themselves and self-regulate. With the right community within the school children can easily be taught how to behave properly. They want/crave to learn and we can help them. For example when you bring students on a field trip to a museum, you should go over rules with them on how to act respectfully in the museum.
Students will give you respect if you show them respect. Students are people too and want to be treated like people. Treating them as if they were lower and you are all knowing can cause chaos in the classroom and you will lose the respect of the students. They will also be more likely to listen better. I see my classroom as being more permissive. I believe that kids can thrive when being pushed by them self. I want my kids to want to learn. And giving them that freedom will help them sore. They need to be pushed into the right direction by the teachers. It’s our duty as teachers to guide them in the topic of art. At the Riverbend Tech school I observed at the teacher Mr. Daniels would have a big project every quarter where the students decided on what their project was. They would even make their own rubric for him to use when grading. The only rule they had was that it had to be relevant to what they have learned so far. Which I think guides the students just enough while still giving them the freedom to make their own project.
I think that the best way to keep a clean room and help give the students responsibility is to give them all a chore. One child reorganizes the paper, another cleans the brushes, another student sweeps the floor. Routines are very important in a child's growth and this is the perfect way to teach them responsibility. Another way to help teach students responsibility and self regulate is to go over the rules and expectations together. I would start at the beginning of the class on the first day and negotiate what they think is fair and what I think is fair. Then come to a conclusion on what the rules and expectations are which they are more inclined to follow them because they made the rules. As well as go over what consequences would be so we are all on the same page together. So that way if I do have to discipline them, there are no surprises and everyone knows what will happen if they mess up. As well as go over a reward system for younger grades. Incentives are helpful with younger children to get them in the mindset of doing the task at hand.
Student Work Examples
