Philosophy

      The ultimate challenge for American education is to place all students on pathways toward success in their academic careers and in life.  Our country is facing a transition.  Now, more than ever, we are a diverse society facing the daunting demands of global, social and technological innovation.  Since the economy is changing from being manufacturing driven to a services-driven enterprise, young people will need an education that develops imaginative, flexible and sound-minded thinking.  Therefore, art education is a powerful tool that can foster growth and self-awareness.  Engaging young people’s minds with quality art programs will help them to better begin lifelong journeys of development and give them capabilities to contribute to the world around them successfully.  I believe that the quality of a student’s education is a crucial factor in how they will function in society throughout their lives.  This is why a classic liberal arts education is emphasized in our school systems, where a student is exposed to and learns a broad range of information and skills.  In my opinion, a fundamental part of their learning takes place with art education.        

Through art education a student develops skills which are not always emphasized in other curriculum areas.  Art education emphasizes creativity, imagination and adaptability which are important skills in problem solving and the development of ideas.  Art education encompasses student learning objective thinking and problem solving skills, as well as, learning more about who they are as an individual and as a functioning component of society.  Students are encouraged to develop their personal identity by improving their self-knowledge, self-awareness and self-discipline.  This happens when students have the freedom to make objective decisions about how to create quality ideas and how to build on those ideas to create understandable and creative goals.  At the same time, observation, analysis, interpretation and evaluation skills are acquired and sharpened.  While all of these things are facilitated in the art classroom, its effects can be felt throughout a student’s education, with improvements in consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness.  These developments help students to function with higher level thinking skills.  Their interactions with others will be improved while giving them the ability to represent and preserve their creative ideas.  Most importantly is the significance of how art can impact not only how students learn and think, but also how they feel and behave.  As Grant Wood, American Painter said, “The aim of art education is not to make more professional artists but to teach people to live happier, fuller lives:  to extract more out of their experience, whatever that experience may be.”            

       The New York State Standards of the Arts were developed to promote and keep the development of art education consistent.  They are put in place to give uniformity to the curricula, with emphasis on goals and understanding. This means that a student satisfies certain educational requirements while their artistic integrity and growth is not compromised.  The impact of this is that the student receives proper and equal art education that aides in the development and promotion of their culture.  I believe that in order to equip students for professionally and personally rewarding careers and lifestyles we must recognize the need to give them greatly enriched quality learning experiences in and through the arts.  I am a teacher, as well as an artist and I have seen the impact quality teaching has had, not just on art production alone, but on the personal growth, attitudes, accomplishments and self-esteem of students who would have otherwise been left behind in these areas of development.  I want to aid students in the discovery and inspiration of art and help them to highlight their own positive effects on society. This will allow me to reach out and help shape and motivate students’ abilities to grow both in mind and spirit in their total education, as well as their own personal talents and art.

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