Phase III EDUC 450
Lydia Carr
EDUC 450 was located at Thompson Valley High School in Loveland, Colorado. I was working specifically with two art teachers at Thompson. I worked in the drawing 1 class, and in the sculpture 1 class. During this time, I also was with three other CSU Art Education students in the classroom. In the beginning of the semester, we were working remotely, and then we went back to in person. After Fall break, we switched back to virtual learning. This semester, has had the theme of flexibility and grace. We are constantly learning new things, and it has been a crazy semester. I am thankful for my teachers that I worked with and all the things I learned to be prepared for Student teaching. I learned more about teaching virtually and learned new skills to uses more technology in the classroom. Overall, It was a wonderful semester, and I gained a lot of growth from this semester.
Teaching Philosophy
Art is a process not outcome - just like learning.Art reveals growth in creative thinking and self-reflection. A student develops a capacity to solve problems and expresses deeper understanding through artistic expression. I believe that art begins with fundamentals, but then probes into nuanced thinking. I want my students to be able to take what they learned in my art classes into their future careers, and schooling. As an educator, I am passionate about educating our future leaders and community members, and I believe that can start in an art classroom.
In high school, I frequently had issues with learning in different subject areas. I struggled with test taking, and focusing in the classroom. I had to adapt and grow in this type of environment to be successful as a student, I mostly did this because of my teachers. I had teachers who understood the way that I was learning and created lessons that I could understand and be successful. As an educator, I will be creating my lessons around my students' different learning styles. I will create pre-assessments and post-assessments. For example, exit tickets and “I understand, and I know,” are some teaching strategies that I will bring to the classroom. This is a way for me to see how the students are absorbing the information. Since students learn in their own way, my teaching style will accommodate a broad group, and together we will excite a culture of curiosity and imagination.
Learning based on student choice is the type of philosophy that I intend to bring into my classroom. Together we can learn and grow with each other. Throughout my college career, I have seen the positive aspects of having a student choice type of atmosphere, where students can bring their ideas, and problem solve together. The hallmark of my teaching methods will draw upon creating a welcoming space for students to be themselves while observing their world through the artist’s process. My students will learn to create work that they are passionate about. The classroom will become a brave forum where I will foster a space where students can talk about issues that are affecting them in their local community. This can only happen if students feel welcome and have the freedom to express. We can only do this by creating respect for ourselves, and others.