Art Gives Students a Powerful Voice

All students have something significant to say. I believe that teaching a student to create art means teaching them a new, powerful way to use their voice. Their art becomes a vessel that carries their voice and communicates their thoughts, ideas and dreams. It is my privilege to help my student's voice develop and grow into a strong, powerful tool that can help them incite change in the world.

As an art teacher, my primary goal and responsibility is facilitating my students' discovery of the power of art. I can achieve this most effectively by first helping my students appreciate art as an outlet for the imagination. Students should begin their exploration of art by becoming captivated by conceptual, inventive projects that strengthen their ability to think creatively. Through this process, they will recognize how art can become a tool for effectively communicating their unique point of view.

To maximize the efficacy and aesthetic appeal of my students' artwork, I believe it is imperative to help them perfect the craft of art-making by exposing them to a myriad of materials and methods. I believe in a holistic, comprehensive approach where the practices of necessary disciplinary skills are incorporated into engaging, enjoyable projects that are contextually relevant to my students.

In a culture that is becoming increasingly more reliant on visual cues and semiotics, it is crucial that our students learn to communicate visually. The study of art will strengthen their ability to contribute to the perpetual visual discourse and effectively participate in social change. Educational visionary Elliot Eisner wrote, "For those who want no change, the arts and the imagination can cause trouble." This sentiment gets at the root of why I teach art - I believe it is a vital mechanism for students to influence the future. Visual art gives the student a new, comprehensive mode of communication that can equip them to grapple with the compelling and controversial issues they will confront in and outside of the classroom. I take pride in my ability to help my students realize their artistic potential and develop a powerful voice.