Teaching Philosophy
"Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge." - Carl Sagan
Art is a process and requires perseverance, dedication, and a set of finely tuned skills.
Art like science is a way of thinking. It is not about finding one solution to a problem, but finding all of the
possible solutions, testing those solutions and choosing the one that best suits ones specific needs. Art is a process
and requires perseverance, dedication, and a set of finely tuned skills. It requires both technical skills as well
as mental skills, such as problem solving, creative and critical thinking that come together to express thoughts and ideas.
This is the greatest challenge of teaching art and it calls for a delicate balance of hard work, persistence, and patience.
Developing methods to teach the necessary skills and critical thinking together requires careful planning and a willingness
to be open to various approaches. By uniting common modes of learning, providing an accessible structure and designing
the syllabus so that students learn the basic ceramic techniques within a conceptual framework will allow for a comprehensive
approach to art making.
The classroom has traditionally been for lectures, demonstrations, and slide talks. Time in the classroom can also provide an
opportunity for questions, discussions, and an exchange of thoughts and ideas. Questions, such as, what am I trying to say?
How many different ways can I say it? What speaks clearly? What am I referencing either intentionally or unintentionally?
How can I push the idea further? And what formal strategies am I using and how do they support the concept? Asking and
answering the questions together allows for the formation of a partnership that fosters learning and growth for student and teacher alike.