Torri Byrd

As a future art educator I feel it is my duty to have an appropriate and well planned teaching philosophy. Throughout my field experiences and education courses I have learned the importance of planning and procedure in teaching. Within my plans, I work to prioritize creative problem solving amongst students, and find that with art the most important thing is that creative freedom. Students should be able to express themselves in my classroom in and outside of the lesson plans that I present.

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Alongside feeling comfortable expressing themselves, students should feel safe in the art room. I want to stress the importance of inclusivity in my future classroom, without singling out any person or bodies of people. Regardless of who they are as individuals, every child should be given the same tools and outlets to be a maker. It is important to me as a teacher that all students are given the same amount of nurturing in the classroom to truly develop their own artistic senses.

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If a student's creativity is  not nurtured from an early age I feel as though it's harder for them to feel motivated to make art later in life. So many students are quick to say, "I can't draw that, I can't draw at all." But that's exactly the point. You don't know how to draw it, yet! It's only an unlearned skill that can be planted like a seed and blossom into a flower.

 

Throughout my time at Valdosta State, I have found that in my own art making I have planted many seeds of creativity. With little thoughtful practices here and there in my own work, I’ve been able to experience the benefits and wonders of art education firsthand. I hope to inspire other students in similar ways and create a visible pathway for them to see themselves as artists.

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I cannot wait to help kids learn skills for the future that they can nurture and maybe find a passion in. If not that at least we would make a few fun crafts, and learn some art lingo along the way.