Teaching Philosophy

Over the many years, art has always been a part of my life. Ever since I was a young child, from finger painting on an easel to painting landscapes and from my own imagination, it has allowed me to express myself when other methods did not work well or were not sufficient. There is just something that draws me to pick up a paintbrush and some paper, and no matter what, I am eager to create and share my creative solutions.

Art has been there to calm down after a long day or share with others how to create. Without art education, I would not have discovered my love for art and how important it is. Art education allows students to express themselves from an early age and is versatile for all ages to enjoy, no matter how young or old. Art can be an outlet for their thoughts and emotions in ways that might be hard to say but easier to show. By having the arts in our education system, students have a place to take chances and grow from their mistakes.

Furthermore, being an art educator is something I have thought of for many years, and starting down the path of teaching and learning the ropes has inspired me to be the best art educator I can be for my students. I hope to create a space that my students can feel comfortable in and free to express themselves creatively in ways that they might have not known before. Students can solve an art problem creatively and learn how to work through the creative process.

As I am learning and growing through my teaching. I aspire to make sure the needs of my students are met, whether they need alternative seating, alternative solutions to visuals or directions, or help with their projects or advice with something. I want to be the teacher that I would have wanted in K-12, one that students can look up to and hopefully remember over the years and, at the very least, enjoy art a little more than when they first came into class.

Moreover, I make sure my students are appropriately represented in the classroom. Sharing artists from different backgrounds, so my students can connect with them and aspire to be great artists. When I was in K-12, I mostly learned of famous artists like Picasso or Monet, which are great, but they do not represent everyone in the world. I wanted to be know more about female and contemporary artists, for example, someone I could make connections with and see myself. Which is what I want for my students, I want them to connect to the artists that could represent their culture or language. Providing opportunities for my students to share their experiences and knowledge with the other students to build those positive connections in the classroom.

As I continue to grow and learn as an art educator, I hope to improve my skills and knowledge with time. Whether it is learning new lesson ideas or gaining skills in a new art technique, I hope to channel my inner Ms. Frizzle for my students, so they can always take chances at something new, make mistakes, and even get a little messy.

- Amber Dekowski