In my teaching philosophy, I want to mostly focus on implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in collaboration with foundational art skills. This can be done through the creation of art at any grade level. I want to invite students to create art that explores emotional intelligence through themes and research. Students first will be taught artistic skills; like elements and principles of design, specific mediums, and the process of planning and researching artwork ideas. I will then introduce broad themes that can be incorporated into artworks, and this can facilitate conversation, emotional responses, and personal connection to art.

I want to provide students with tools and resources to use art to convey their emotions and feelings, and to also explore the emotions of others to tackle contemporary problems and ideas. I believe that I am simply the facilitator so that students can use these resources to make art about their current mental state, issues they’re passionate about, and overall themes that they personally feel connected to. This can lead to heavy themes to be discussed within art, which I welcome. This is why I’m approaching SEL in a more universal way and not just focusing on the elementary level. SEL is important in all grade levels because we are continuously building on themes of emotions, and older students are able to explore the emotions of others and how they effect their society and culture. Like stated, this gives students the tools to build upon ideas, collaborate topics with other students, share feelings they have about issues they’re passionate about, and overall develop the confidence to voice an opinion/feeling in our society.

Having this opportunity to explore themes in art-making is what creates passion and specific interests in visual arts. Expanding upon the idea of emotion is exactly what I want to do through my teaching, which is why SEL can continue throughout all grade levels. We never stop feeling emotions, and it’s important to know how to handle these emotions. Art is a tool for all students, and I want to be able to emphasize that within my teaching career. I want to be able to teach foundational art skills, but then also teach the students how to use these skills to create expressive art that is more individualized to them and their own unique experiences and feelings. I overall want to create a welcoming art classroom environment, where voices and opinions can be heard through the sound of creation.