My Teaching Philosophy

I believe kids are "masters" when it comes to being creative. They surprise me all the time with completely off-the-charts creativity. And, the way it shows up spontaneously with whatever they are doing never ceases to amaze me. Living in the moment is a way of being; it is just part of who they are, little creators.

The child artist needs to create in an environment where learning is fun. Add play into everything you do with them and encourage their imagination to run free. Then follow along so they, and you, can create spontaneously from what comes naturally.

They need to feel what they do matters and what they say is valued. What do they do all day? They play, it's their job, and an important one at that. While playing they are learning about the world and where they fit in. Welcome all their creative ideas and let them know how important they are to the success of every day, every art class and project.

They need to work with friends their own age–like-minded fellow explorers who speak the same language. Friends that help them navigate through the terrain of their imaginary worlds where they delight in building bridges linking their ideas.

Kids need to see us get excited when we experience or learn something new. My kids love it when I say, "Isn't that incredible, I didn't even know that, did you?" I let them know I don't know everything or have all the answers. I want them to tell me what they know. They just might know something I don't.

Teach from your heart. Kids are very perceptive and can sense when you aren't being genuine. But if you come from your heart they are all ears and will listen to every word you have to say.

We all have our unique gifts and talents to share. Teach what you know and love, and others can do the same. One person can't do it alone–it takes a village. In being genuine, authentic, honest, natural, sincere, candid, frank, free, unguarded, and open-hearted with children, we teach them to learn and love as we do–by following their hearts.

Art class is a place where a child can feel autonomous—they are the kings and queens of their imaginary worlds and are naturals at playing the part. Ruling over these worlds they feel right at home, so it's no wonder they can make them magically appear through their play and into their art. Kids playing in a kingdom of their own creation is something you definitely, don't want to miss.

Kids need to do some things all on their own and in their own way. They need to know they did it all by themselves, nobody had to do it for them, and no adult had to intervene. This is huge for them because they are still very dependent on us, and an important dependency, I might add, for they need us to protect them. But they also want to feel grown-up, like us. Give them opportunities where they can be in charge of what is going on. Remember when you were little and you pretended to be a Mommy, Daddy, teacher, fireman, superhero…a grown-up? Wasn't it just the best?

And in my art classes, they get to feel grown up. Here are some examples:

We invent flying machines like Leonardo de Vinci with straws, cardboard, pipe cleaners, tape, and string with the intention and belief that they will, actually be able to fly.

We write in Hieroglyphics like ancient Egyptian Scribes. One of my students even wrote me a long letter in hieroglyphics that I had to decipher using the chart hanging on the wall.

We design and build houses out of wood scraps like an architect and place them on a huge piece of paper and draw roads and backyards with gardens and swing sets. Then I say, "Why don't we make a whole city." "What does a city need?" We put our heads together and come up with all the things that make up a city. They draw schools—even their own school—amusement parks, restaurants, gas stations, fire stations, grocery stores, a jail, a farm with chickens, trees, and rivers. They draw people, pets, and cars on little blocks of wood. The cars drive around on all the roads, and the people move around town and walk from their houses to their friends. Being the ones responsible for building a whole city is huge, a very grown-up thing to do, and it's super fun, for a child and even a teacher.

Our children are the future, a future that needs its people to see outside the box, to be imaginative, curious about what is possible, and creative in ways we can't even imagine right now. We need to give our children lots of space, encouragement, support, and opportunities to create from what comes naturally, and just be themselves.