Teaching+Philosophies

You may upload your teaching philosophy here, for suggestion and critique.

Here is an article I found that can help when writing your Teaching Philosophy. ~Kacie Sound advice--I do encourage you to consider what format you would like to have your philosophy follow. I'm uploading examples to share.

Two sample philosophies follow. I have added my critique of each in red within the document. These are from a website: still working to find electronic copies of past students' philosophies so that I may add my critique instead of offering a scanned document.

Revised Teaching Philosophy

Ranae Kelley REVISED

Elizabeth Richey revised

Melissa Johnson Teaching Philosophy I believe in a student-centered approach to teaching, fostering creativity through hands-on application of concepts on aesthetics, criticism, and art history in addition to art production. I want students to develop into well-rounded individuals, capable of not only critical thinking, but also critical viewing, seeing the world and interpreting the deeper meanings within those visual clues. I want to reveal how art exists within everyday life, across cultures and time. I strive to create environments based on respect and honesty that encourage intellectual risk-taking without fear of ridicule. In teaching, I employ a variety of techniques to motivate and engage the students in active participatory learning, from games and debates to historical research and creating artworks. I feel that self-reflection is as important as the grade received and therefore I have the students grade themselves using the same rubric that I use to assess their work.

revised:

Ranae Kelley Teaching philosophy As an Artist I believe that Progressivism is the teaching philosophy that I relate to the best. Progressivist teaching lets the student have a structured environment that they are able to have freedoms within. Through making mistakes and learning different styles of art the student betters their ability to draw. They //progress// because they each learn from different techniques they have decided to use or try. The definition of progressive noticeably states that you make use of new ideas and findings. In the art world this is where all new works of art begin. You take new ideas and make them a reality in whatever form you choose. Progressivists focus the class curriculum on the needs of the student. The student must be free to develop his or her own theories. They can do that in Art class by creating, and bringing to life their thoughts, feelings, and imaginations. I believe that if I taught art in any other way the student would be the one who misses out. I believe as the progressivist believes, that there are ideas and thoughts of the past that the student should study, and learn how they have grown and changed. Such as when cubism began and why, and why realism became such a big movement. These things help the student be able to learn from the past, yet change it and use it the way they see fit. Each piece of artwork the students produce progresses the world of art, as well as their own unique style. As a progressivist teacher I am a facilitator not a dictator. The students can look to me as a resource, as well as the teacher. Since they will see me as a facilitator they will be more willing to let me help them. The students will be more open to constructive criticism that will help them to better, and progress their work to the best it can be. These are the reasons why I think that the teaching philosophy that best fits me, as an art teacher is Progressivism.
 * Progressivism**

Cassie Bailey Teaching Philosophy I want to specifically be an art teacher because it is one of the most effective ways of preparing students for the rest of their lives. Art inherentally gives students a skill-set in a way most other subjects cannot. The act of creation requires students to practice problem solving, decision making, and higher level cognitive skills. Even at an early age a student has to decide what to draw and how to overcome the difficulties of actually representing that idea on paper. At a later age, the student will be able to look at his or her work and critically analyze whether it accurately says what the student intended. This kind of process and thinking is reminscent of skills adults need in their careers today. This self-reliance also enhances a sense of self worth. If students can create a work of art and defend their choices, they have learned to stand up for themselves. Hopefully, the students can recognize that their fellow students are going through the same processes and difficulties, thereby making a connection with each other, regardless of race, creed or any other differences. Basically, I want to set up a classroom where the processes of learning and creating art shows itself in each and every one of my students. My goal is to have them learn life-lessons from this discipline, thereby helping them succeed throughout their lives. My focus is on the whole child. Revised:

Laurie's Teaching Philosophy Resend-

Comment from Cheryl: Love your teaching philosophy Laurie. Check for two typos in next-to-last paragraph and maybe change last paragraph to present-tense. Very alive and inspiring!

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Laurie Thompson Teaching Philosophy Every student is able to create art in their own unique way. Each day that a student walks into my classroom is a new day for excitement and adventure in art. My job is to take all the students that walk into my art classroom and help them expand upon the creative ideas they already posses. My classroom is a safe and rewarding environment for students to feel at ease and comfortable to try new things. My classroom environment will reflect a kinesthetic approach to art which should relate well to any age group that I am teaching. All children love to touch, feel, create and express art with unlimited possibilities. My expectations for achievement and conduct are high for my students. When students walk out of my classroom they should feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in their creativity.

Brandi N. Supratanapongse  Philosophy of Education  The purpose of education for my students will not only be for them to achieve accomplishments academically, but also for them to grow as strong individuals inside and outside of the classroom. My students will achieve many goals in the art room. They will not only learn how to create wonderful art but they will also study art’s significant contributions to society and culture. They will learn to think outside of the box, be inventive, creative, and be able to view the world with open eyes.  The content that will be taught in my classroom is not subject to just the Visual Arts but also how the arts tie into other subjects such as History, Science, Language Arts, and Mathematics. Students will understand that art does not consist of just “finger painting,” and “pretty pictures,” but that it also has a place in many other aspects of our lives. Students will also be able to critically analyze the art they view by using the Elements and Principles allowing them to better describe artwork. Students will study not only art production but also art history, criticism, and aesthetics, and be able to apply them to other situations.  I will engage my students in a variety of different ways to gain their interest in learning. This includes showing many examples of art ranging from Classical to Post-Modern and talking about the significance of a variety of different artists’ works. Children learn in a multitude of ways, so visual aids will not be the only methods of teaching I will use. The learning experience will also include music, reading, writing, and exposure a variety of technology in the classroom. I will also give the children a very hands-on approach by letting them experiment with a vast amount of different art mediums. If it is possible I will take the children on field trips to galleries, museums, and art festivals in the area. Students will also be able to meet other practicing artists and possibly do collaborating projects with each other and for the school and other organizations. I will get the students actively involved in a school art show or festival so that they can show everyone including the rest of the school and their family members all they have learned and give them an opportunity to gain experience displaying their work, which I believe gains confidence.  My role as a teacher would be a facilitator of learning, and even a tour guide or explorer. I want to give my students a taste of many different things and expose them to all the world of visual arts has to offer, finally allowing them to decide what they want to delve deeper in. I want them to know that there are many opportunities for one to succeed if they love art and want to pursue it professionally. I want my students to know that they do not have to be a, “starving artist.” The role of my students will be to view all things with an open heart and open mind, and to not only learn about the many things the arts have to offer in the world, but also to learn about different cultures, learn more about themselves, and finally to have fun expressing themselves in a visual language that is truly beautiful.

 Here is my revised teaching philosophy:   -Brandi Supratanapongse

Comment from Cheryl: Love this one Brandi - wouldn't change a thing!

I have 2 different styles of philosophy statements. One is more traditional than the other. Let me know which you think is more appropriate for the job application process. Thanks, Susan

Susan- After reading both Philosophies I feel like the 2nd one (Susan's Philosophy of Teaching) is much more you! Both are successful. I felt like the first one is more about defining the various teaching styles that influence you, rather than allowing the reader to know about you and your teaching. I dont think you want to use your space explaining each style... If you did use the first one or a portion of it I think the first paragraph excluding ("I never realized how much effort went into the “art” of teaching. Once discovering these different philosophies, I immediately recognized the many styles of my former teachers. My philosophic decision is much more important than I initially realized.") is really good. The 2nd one really makes me feel like you value teaching and will give your best to the school/students. It makes me think that if I had kids, I would want them to have you as an art teacher! Mi Kyong Yoo