An art teacher’s role is to help students connect through imagination, creativity, communication, and challenges in order to help create a well-rounded successful individual. Research shows that students can reach higher levels of achievement through their engagement with the arts. Since technology is advancing so rapidly, the demand for innovators, who think differently, are needed more than ever. The challenges of the 21st century and the economy are changing, Eger (2008) stated education “is all about creativity, imagination, and, above all, innovation.” (p.32)
Everyone possesses a unique type of creativity. My job as an art teacher is to help foster this creativity, which in turn helps promote students to express feelings and thoughts in a visual form. The students are then able to present them in a way they never thought possible. Teaching students how to use a variety of materials promotes experimentation, and collaboration, which is an important skill for success. Often times experimentation takes multiple attempts before becoming successful and I want students to know it is important to have fun understand it is normal to make mistakes in art; it is just part of the learning process.
Art can teach communication using powerful nonverbal messages from our culture. Teaching students how to view art through communication, emotion, and values helps them understand their ability to function effectively in it. Students that understand the power of communication-through-art can feel accepted, understood, and appreciated by another person. Feldman (1996) discusses communication, connection, and relationships though art. Students learn to feel they are apart of something larger than “being in the world”. They begin to have a feeling of “being in a community.” Even larger than community art can foster understanding of other cultures, their histories, symbols, myths, values and beliefs by examining differences, similarities, between our cultures.
I want students to know that art can be challenging, but it is rewarding. Creating good art requires students to be patient, have self-esteem, use experimentation, and apply problem-solving skills. These characteristics are important to be successful in school and society.
References:
Eger, J.M. (2008), The Arts in contemporary education. School Administrator, 65 (3), 32-35.
Manzo, K.K. (2008). District and partners Coordinate on Arts Education. Education Week, 27 (42), 8-9
Feldman, E. B. (1996). Philosophy of art education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.