The Visual Arts are an integral part of students development and education. Through personal experience, I believe that the arts teach students invaluable skills that will stay with them beyond the classroom and throughout their lives; skills in creative thinking, problem-solving, self-expression, risk-taking, and cooperation. The arts produce a sense of value and help foster individuals sense of identity, which in turn helps a student develop as an individual. I chose a career in the visual arts because it gave me a sense of accomplishment unequaled in any other educational experience. I have found that the lessons I learned through art are applicable within every other aspect of my life.

As an Art educator, I want to influence young students in a positive way, creating an environment that is both collaborative and instructional, to stimulate and challenge students to see new possibilities and concepts, and provide an atmosphere for students to express original ideas in their work. My approach to teaching will be one of modeling, coaching, and helping the students become independent artists and objective thinkers, so they can use the knowledge learned and apply it to their future studies and lives.

The arts are a doorway to endless possibilities, allowing students to discover and imagine something entirely new. Art can cultivate students desire to push themselves to higher levels of excellence. An understanding of art helps prepare students for the demands they will face in the 21st century marketplace. By fostering creativity and personal expression, art education provides students with the essential skills needed for the future.

The value of Arts Education is often overlooked. Art is the one subject that can serve as a natural connector between all other subject areas; from science, history, language and mathematics, allowing students to learn in an entirely new way. Art Education promotes self-esteem, aesthetic awareness, cultural exposure, creativity, improved emotional expression, as well as social harmony and appreciation of diversity. Study and participation in the fine arts is a key component in improving learning throughout all academic areas; reducing the student dropout rate, raising student attendance, developing better team players, and fostering a passion to learn.

Grant Wood, an American artist, once wrote, The aim of art education... is not to make more professional artists but to teach people to live happier, fuller lives; to extract more out of their experience, whatever that experience may be. My goal as an Art educator is to inspire students, to instill knowledge that will affect students life-long learning, and facilitate growth not only as artists but as more well-rounded individuals.