A Brief History:

I love how powerful art can be, and I love sharing those experiences with others! When I graduated from college I wanted to work in an art museum, and I was hired at the Museum of Contemporary Art in the Education & Visitor Engagement Department. I spent time with many teachers and students through Education programs at MOCA, and came to find that I loved working with them! I shifted my focus, and after writing many pro's & con's lists, I narrowed down my interests: I would be an art teacher, and someday a teacher-librarian.

Teaching Goals:

Priorities:

• Emphasis in learner-centered, inquiry-based pedagogy

• Observation/Learning to see

• Art History

  • Context & Connections

  • Contemporary Art

• Art as expression/articulation

• Art as problem solving

• Technical components as a means to an end, not a boundary

• Accessibility

  • De-mystify “the artist”

• Discussion
  

“You know more than you think you do.” - Dr. Spock, Star Trek

On Teaching:

Teaching is an active part of community-building. My time as a learner and educator has taught the importance of collaboration, which is one way to think about the classroom and, more specifically, the relationship between teacher and student. The classroom is one of the first examples a student has of community, and what it looks like to contribute to and participate in a collective group. Part of my work as a teacher is to contribute in creating a learning space where students can feel comfortable to explore and to speak honestly. I teach students that it’s okay to admit that they don’t understand something, and how sitting with the discomfort of not knowing is part of learning. I want my students to be able to think of school as a collaborative arena where they can share ideas with their peers and teachers.

Within a classroom, we’re all working towards a similar goal: to be engaged, to learn, and to grow from and in our education. I truly believe in incorporating accessibility and equity into teaching practices fosters respect and empathy that helps create a fuller and more sure sense of self. For me, this all starts with DEAI (diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion) practices as a foundation. Being able to collaborate, share varying points of view, and be open to new ideas make communities stronger together.

Teaching is about centering the act of service in an essential part of a person’s youth and development. As a teacher, I see my role as serving my students as best I can by teaching them foundational material and skills that will stay with them beyond the time I have with them. Education is a social and collaborative process that I want to remain an active part of. I want to make an impact in as ethical a way as I know how, and working directly with future generations is a powerful way to help shape communities.

On Middle School & High School:

Being a middle-schooler can be tough. It feels really important to grow up, but it's also still compelling to play and be silly. I want to make sure that in my class students are able to learn and grow and show maturity, and to also cut loose and explore through making and talking about art, and maybe get a little goofy sometimes!

High school is all about balancing skill-building and workload, and looking ahead. For high school it's important that students are able to develop foundational and subject-specific skills that they can build on for the rest of their art career! They're thinking about college and their future, and I want to show them that art has a place in their lives, regardless of their career path!

On Art & Teaching:

Art has always been important to me. As I got older, I felt like I wasn't a "real" artist, because I didn't show my artwork in galleries and I wasn't "as good" as other artists I knew. Over time, I learned that art isn't about being the best or comparing yourself to others! It's an important way to look at the world and to share our experiences. As one of my colleagues says, "Art makes you smart!"

My class is all about learning the basics of art, finding ways to express yourself, and also learning why art has always been (and continues to be) a vital part of being a human being. My class is respectful, curious, and driven. We allow lots of space for discussion and getting to know and relate to each other. Art is what brings us together!