Teaching Philosophy

My philosophy of teaching is supported by and closely resembles the theories of John Dewey and Elliot Eisner. Eisner's theory is that "Work in the arts is not only a way of creating... products; it is a way of creating our lives by expanding our consciousness, shaping or dispositions, satisfying our quest for meaning, establishing contact with others, and sharing a culture" (2002, p.3). It is my belief that education provides students with the ability to become critical thinkers and construct knowledge through hands-on experiences.

In my classroom, through the use of teaching visual arts, I seek to continue to develop strategies and methods to better suit the needs of my student's individual learning styles. I engage my students in learning experiences that develop knowledge, instructional practices, and skills by helping them to identify and utilize their own learning styles, as well as provide assessments of individual artwork. By providing these types of learning experiences, I hope to create a safe and warm environment where I inspire my students and instill a creative spark, and love for art and within the children, I teach.

My role as an educator in the classroom is to facilitate learning by providing my students with opportunities to be critical thinkers and construct knowledge through problem-solving. This is grounded in Eisner's (2002) educational theory, which states:

"The arts teach children that in complex forms of problem-solving purposes are seldom fixed, but change with circumstance and opportunity. Learning in the arts requires the ability and a willingness to surrender to the unanticipated possibilities of the work as it unfolds" (p.?).

This method is also supported by Dewey's theory, which states that, "Sound educational experience involves both continuity and interaction between the learner and what is learned" (Dewey, 2014). I feel these components are essential in developing my aspirations to be an effective art teacher.

Education in the arts provides rich learning experiences by enabling students to be creative, learn through exploration, and develop a deeper understanding of the material through hands-on opportunities. Utilizing these approaches in my teaching practices creates an atmosphere of creativity that is learner-centered and accommodates children of various learning styles. It is my aspiration to provide my students with a safe environment where children can express their imagination and develop an appreciation and love for art.

References:

Eisner, E. W. (2002). The arts and the creation of mind. New Haven &

London: Yale University Press.

Eisner , E. W. (2002). 10 lessons the arts teach . Retrieved from

https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy/10-lessons-the-arts-teach

John Dewey (1859-1952). (n.d.) Only a teacher: Schoolhouse pioneers. Retrieved from

https://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/john.html

John Dewey's philosophy of experience and education. (2014). International Centre for

Educators' Learning Styles. Retrieved from https://www.icels-educators-for-learning.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=68