Teaching Philosophy
As an art teacher I believe it is my task to create a classroom environment and a pedagogical cycle that will enrich students with the knowledge, learning habits and thinking skills necessary to help them reach their individual potential. I also believe that it is my job to work in tandem with my peers and the school to get students to think and act beyond the individual and to work in community, giving them the skills necessary to succeed in a global world.
When I talk about a students individual potential I mean both as a creative artist as well as a lifelong learner. It is in art class that students first learn what it means to be creative. Through the use of paint, charcoal, clay and other materials students learn that their physical actions can create representations of complex concepts or emotions. Through this creative process they also learn how to deal with the mistakes and failures that accompany the creative process. Students find that learning is not a straight line trajectory to some finish line, but is instead is a bumpy and winding road that may take them where they least expected.
Life long learning is not a solitary prospect. By collaborating with my peers and other members of the school community I am modeling the types of behaviors students will need to have to succeed in a global world. These collaborations will also create the types of learning that will connect one subject to another guiding students through holistic learning environments that mimic the ones they will find in the real world. I believe that once students see connections and are connected they will have the learning habits that will lead them into a life of learning and growing.
CV:
Career History:
Lead Art Teacher Pacific Middle School 2012 - Present
- Design and present differentiated curriculum to a diversity of students.
- Ensure building wide Common Core goals are met in subject area.
- Ensure Federal Art Standards are being reached in subject area.
- Manage classroom environment through effective use of PBIS and relationship building.
- Procure materials through the management of a yearly budget.
- Organize and display student work throughout the school and community.
- Member of the building Shared Leadership Team.
Advisory Lead Pacific Middle School 2015 - Present
- Design and implement a school wide advisory program.
- Manage a team to help facilitate the designing of advisory curriculum.
- Facilitate monthly professional developments around advisory.
IB MYP Exploratory Team Pacific Middle School 2013 - 2015
- Design and present curriculum that fits into the MYP model of curriculum development.
- Facilitated multiple professional development opportunities for different aspects of MYP and IB.
- Advise Pacific Middle School and Highline School District as to best ways to implement MYP.
Visual Arts Substitute Seattle School District 2010-2012
- Worked in many positions for 3 or more months.
- Helped students to achieve the daily goals set by primary teacher.
Education:
Masters in Teaching - Seattle University 2010
Bachelors of Fine Arts - University of Washington 2006