AAS, Farmingdale College, SUNY
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY
Upper Valley Educators Institute
Certificate in Art Education
At Crossroads since 2017
I believe that, in teaching art and art history to children and young adults, the process is as important as the product. I also believe that engaging growing minds to think, act, and especially explore creatively fosters learning in all disciplines. Art has always been an integral part of my life and career, and my goal is to encourage others to find the same sense of validation, and their own particular rewards, through art.
As a student, I always felt comfortable, excited, and challenged in the art room–self-expressionis a powerful thing. As an educator, I feel the same way. I expect to work hard and have fun creating art along with my students, and modeling projects is, in fact, a very powerful teaching tool. An engaged and active learner will synthesize ideas and experiences when the educator maintains a safe, collaborative, and nurturing environment. The art room is a place to explore and question and decide, and the art educator enables this process.
While art education has the same primary goals as other content areas—to create lifelong learners and develop skills and intellectual experience—art also provides students with a unique opportunity to find a voice and then use it. This simple truth has guided my graphic design work, my class curriculum development, and my engagement with students. I am lucky to teach the subject that I do.
