I believe the responsibility of an art educator—indeed of any educator—is to foster creative and critical thinking in students through a combination of teaching methods, guidance techniques, and a supportive classroom environment. 

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A positive environment is one of the most critical factors affecting a student’s ability to absorb the subject at hand and to grow. This means that the teacher must show commitment for the students while at the same time setting forth a set of fair and consistent rules of behavior and expectations. I like to discuss and regularly review the rules and expectations.  This promotes respectful interaction between my students and me and encourages learning that is valuable to all.

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Every child has creative currents, and with appropriate classroom resources and commitment by the teacher, these gifts can be harnessed. I incorporate the visual-auditory-kinesthetic (VAK) approach to the teaching of art, as set forth in the following table: 

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When I introduce students to these multiple forms of media from drawing to metalwork, it helps me provide the best and most entertaining way for students to discover their own artistic talents.

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I focus on visual art. However, I understand the blind or visually impaired students can better appreciate tactile art, which they can feel; auditory art they can hear; or even olfactory art they can smell. There are museums designed especially for these learners. I visited the Old State House, a museum in Boston, which has a section that focuses on the smell of old, musty, and damp objects. By visiting such museums and taking students on art-related field trips, I connect art to the real world. Such experiences help promote their ability to analyze and critique varieties of art. 

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Making mistakes is an integral part of any learning process. I ask students to retest, revise, and refine, and to find answers to their own questions. Encouragement is fundamental to the process of learning and ensures that all are reaching their full potential. Highlighting students’ accomplishments is essential. When learners are unable to complete a particular project but strive to excel, I can still highlight that effort as a form of success because the attempts show me the learners’ willingness to deliver a high standard of work. A wonderful way for me to celebrate their efforts is to choose the students’ best works and display them in my school and community. 

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Recognizing that learning is a lifelong activity and that I, as a teacher, must grow as I expect my students to grow, I continue to take art classes, and I have a journal in which I write my reflections. I also try to immerse myself in the culture around me, visiting museums, libraries, and art fairs and festivals. I try to keep abreast of current theories and current practices in art, so that I can bring contemporary as well as timeless techniques to the classroom.