Some of the primary objectives I have for my students include, being able to understand the role that visual arts play in a well-rounded education; that art is a way for people to communicate ideas, feelings, and perceptions; and to have had a hands-on experience with the different types of visual arts and practiced different problem-solving skills. At the end of the year, I would like my students to know what their strengths and weaknesses are as learners and as young artists. I naturally don’t expect every student to take to art immediately or entirely. However, I would like them to leave with an appreciation for making artwork and with some idea of what type of art they enjoy doing. It is important to me as an artist and as a teacher that students leave my classroom with a fundamental knowledge of why artists create art and equipped with a foundation of artistic skills and abilities.
Some of my objectives as an art teacher include, being mindful and patient; always strive to make lessons relatable and exciting for students and their appropriate learning levels; knowing when to trust your intuition as teacher and as an artist; and lastly, to be sure to have clear and consistent expectations of what students need to succeed. I have also followed and remembered the three common characteristics of a successful teacher which are 1. Effective classroom management skills, 2. Lesson mastery, and 3. Positive and high expectations (Wong, 2009).
As an art teacher, I have always believed that the most effective way to teach has been through clear demonstration and showing examples of how and what students need to know, and by going around the room and guiding each student as needed. My teaching style is mainly a demonstrative approach, with a focus on coaching and facilitating students through the learning process. I depend on a fair amount of modeling and observing and also learning by observing.
