I believe that every child requires that of which any adult does; respect, responsibility, and room to make mistakes. To foster the previous statement; a safe, mindful, and stimulating environment must be fabricated. A teacher should be a mentor and asset for students, colleagues, and administrators. All of these characteristics must be present in a classroom for intellectual, emotional, and social growth.
Educational systems are diverse, but still must contain these basic principles. I believe that art education can be used as a bridge, connecting every aspect of life. For example, when students brainstorm, create, and reflect diverse ideas, then share those ideas, they begin to understand what it means to be an active and productive part of society. Project based learning teaches process and time management. Art education is the glue that can adhere all subjects. 


I believe that artful thinking is a lifestyle. It is a more creative way of viewing the world around oneself. As an art teacher, I want to show students how to problem solve, think creatively, and understand that there is more than one way to approach a problem. Learning how to think critically is essential for success. I strive to model high-yielding life skills, decisive action making, and expression through the arts. A classroom should be a place where students are prepared to walk away with knowledge that will set them up for a brighter and more fruitful future.


I believe all teachers should verbalize their thought progression aloud in order to model how to construct and process information. For example, if I am talking about art history and reference general history through symbols that the artist provides, students will witness how to make connections. Background knowledge is vital for development. Making lessons relevant to student's lives will cultivate strong connections that they can wield outside of the art room. I believe that art can be used by means of therapy, physical rehabilitation, and intellectual growth.


Furthermore, art is a tiny word for a complex problem: life. Art allows growth in all aspects of one’s being. Art education is a resource for educational institutions and its value is immeasurable.