A meaningful and personal art education has the power to alter the course of child’s life. Art is a language like no other: It is communicated by personal image-making that can be both expressive and informative in nature. Establishing the art room as a safe place for all different types of learners instills a sense of comfort and confidence that can pave the way for future creative processes and instill a love and appreciation for art at a young age.
Art is a way for those who may otherwise be speechless, to express themselves and their ideas. It serves as an alternative method for different learners to be able to communicate in a visual way when words fail them. This is why it is especially important to empower those with special needs with a tool that they can use to communicate their thoughts and ideas, and feel accepted and involved with their peers in the art room. I believe that a good lesson can be easily adapted and modified for those with special needs in order to better suite their individual learning style. Art can be a way for children and adolescents to get through tough periods of their life, whether it be a break from academic rigor, stressful home situations, or problems with peers. The therapeutic and expressive nature of artmaking allows for this sense of relief and comfort that proves invaluable to children and adolescents who are constantly developing.
I strive to establish an environment where all students find success and acceptance in the art room. I believe that art should be a safe zone for all learners, a place where students should be able to express themselves, discover their aesthetic preferences, experiment with the expressive quality of different mediums, and most importantly, excel. In a world where we are increasingly aware and appreciative of different learning styles, I believe that it crucial for an art teacher to be able to teach to all different types of learners. Since there is no right or wrong way to solve a visual problem, students can seek comfort in the subjectivity of an art curriculum. When a student is putting forth his or her best effort, he or she is successful, which means something different for each student. I believe that it is the teacher’s responsibility to set students up for success, giving them all the tools they need to reach their full potential. An important part of increasing students’ confidence is giving them opportunities to feel proud of their artwork through praise, recognition, and public displays. If they are proud and feel fully supported, children feel more comfortable using their artwork as an expressive outlet and are more willing to take artistic risks.
I believe that all students should be given the opportunity to be a part of something engaging and meaningful. An art curriculum should relate to the learner, it should both challenge and excite them by making connections to their every day life. An art education that is interdisciplinary in nature stimulates creativity and critical thinking skills and has the power to increase performance in other academic areas. Perhaps the most important role of an art education in school is its ability to synthesize students’ experiences by making connections with their life and therefore give meaning and relevancy to their education. Students will learn through art that all aspects of life are connected, and art is one wonderful way that we can make sense of the world we live in.
-Christine Doherty
Art is a way for those who may otherwise be speechless, to express themselves and their ideas. It serves as an alternative method for different learners to be able to communicate in a visual way when words fail them. This is why it is especially important to empower those with special needs with a tool that they can use to communicate their thoughts and ideas, and feel accepted and involved with their peers in the art room. I believe that a good lesson can be easily adapted and modified for those with special needs in order to better suite their individual learning style. Art can be a way for children and adolescents to get through tough periods of their life, whether it be a break from academic rigor, stressful home situations, or problems with peers. The therapeutic and expressive nature of artmaking allows for this sense of relief and comfort that proves invaluable to children and adolescents who are constantly developing.
I strive to establish an environment where all students find success and acceptance in the art room. I believe that art should be a safe zone for all learners, a place where students should be able to express themselves, discover their aesthetic preferences, experiment with the expressive quality of different mediums, and most importantly, excel. In a world where we are increasingly aware and appreciative of different learning styles, I believe that it crucial for an art teacher to be able to teach to all different types of learners. Since there is no right or wrong way to solve a visual problem, students can seek comfort in the subjectivity of an art curriculum. When a student is putting forth his or her best effort, he or she is successful, which means something different for each student. I believe that it is the teacher’s responsibility to set students up for success, giving them all the tools they need to reach their full potential. An important part of increasing students’ confidence is giving them opportunities to feel proud of their artwork through praise, recognition, and public displays. If they are proud and feel fully supported, children feel more comfortable using their artwork as an expressive outlet and are more willing to take artistic risks.
I believe that all students should be given the opportunity to be a part of something engaging and meaningful. An art curriculum should relate to the learner, it should both challenge and excite them by making connections to their every day life. An art education that is interdisciplinary in nature stimulates creativity and critical thinking skills and has the power to increase performance in other academic areas. Perhaps the most important role of an art education in school is its ability to synthesize students’ experiences by making connections with their life and therefore give meaning and relevancy to their education. Students will learn through art that all aspects of life are connected, and art is one wonderful way that we can make sense of the world we live in.
-Christine Doherty