Teaching Philosophy
Beyond the fundamental overview presented in the courses that I teach, I strive to engage my students in a holistic approach to education that brings different learning and life experiences into every class activity. I encourage them to create authentic work, which references their life interests, ambitious, and skills. I always stress that technology is a tool; and that creativity it is the most important aspect of their art making practice. In today’s world, there are many instant solutions and too many “right-click-download” options. The joy of the process becomes overshadowed by an impatience to rush towards a resolution. However, if the process is short and a one-way street, than the joy of the result will not last very long. By hurrying to solve a problem and not finding a depth of intellectual pleasure or stimulation in the process, than the student is only left with a short-term satisfaction. Consequently students are less captivated by the process of learning, and fail to create life-long relationship with it.
One of the earliest things that I learned as a teacher was to not assume that all students come with the same level of knowledge. In my course activities I always start with basic concepts and provide students with numerous instructional “How to” video-tutorials, which I have developed over the years. As the course progresses, I focus on larger conceptual issues, giving students less and less “step-by-step” instructions and more suggestions to be self-sufficient to find their own solutions.
Besides knowing how to create, I also believe that it is vital for students to learn how to discuss their work. It is important for them to understand that they create in a larger community and must gain knowledge about works done by well-known artists and designers. Through dialog and an exchange of ideas, students can further develop a unique and personal creative vision. A good critique is a constructive critique that will open students to new and different perspectives.
I came to teaching by a fortunate collision of events. Looking back on my ten-years of teaching, I now understand how much teaching is a part of my larger background. I am the third generations of teachers in my family: my grandparents, my aunt, uncle and my mother were all teachers. In today’s world of endless professions and job descriptions, it gives me a great pleasure that I can explain to my 6-years old daughter what her mother does professionally. Teaching is one of those rare professions, which has existed throughout time. Maybe the methods have changed, but the essence has remained the same. Society has a continuous need to teach, learn, and communicate ideas. Without this process we do not expand our ability to embrace new experiences and learn about ourselves as creative individuals.
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