Alexandra Abbatiello

 

My Teaching Philosophy

Alexandra Abbatiello 

 

        Knowledge is interactive and always evolving. Whether we want to or not our brains automatically associate any new information we come into contact with, with previous beliefs, information, and ideas. Therefore, we constantly build on what we already know or believe. I believe interdisciplinary learning is the best for students. For example; environments that promote learning through educational approaches such as STEAM. There are many factors that are important when it comes to advancing one’s learning. Students need to research, experiment, build confidence in their abilities, and not be afraid to make mistakes or get the wrong answer. The only way to fail is by not trying or putting any effort in at all. Regardless of what one thinks they know of a subject, there is always room for improvement.

        Teachers need to be engaging and fun, someone that students can talk to, trust, and look forward to seeing, but also a role model whom they respect. Paulo Freire said, “The teacher of course is an artist but being an artist does not mean that he or she can make the profile, can shape the students. What the educator does in teaching is to make it possible for the students to become themselves.” I want my students to leave my class with enough practice, knowledge, skill, enthusiasm, and confidence to continue creating on their own.

        My main goal is for students to be well-rounded in the individual areas of our field, knowledgeable of various techniques, processes, and materials, and unafraid to experiment and combine methods in their work. The best way for children to learn in my class is through hands-on activity, mainly individually, but I think group work is also important. Many learners classify themselves as kinesthetic and/or visual learners. They need to be able to watch a demonstration and then get hands-on practice. I believe this is still the number one way to teach Art to students. While technology is evolving rapidly, I feel it should remain a tool for students and not be used in lieu of learning the processes themselves. They should be taught how to do things on their own, and then introduced to tools that may help them achieve their goals more quickly. These technologies can be implemented into their process when applicable but they should never rely solely on these tools to make or do their work for them. I also utilize technology in a way that allows students and parents to stay up-to-date, and further their learning experience.

My teaching method encompasses a mix of the different learning theories and styles. They vary depending on the course, level of each individual student, and goals we are trying to accomplish. Behaviorism is the learning theory I tend to follow most often, especially with my beginners. Students are motivated by a mixture of positive and negative reinforcements. I do my best to maintain a positive and professional environment. I highly encourage practice, and in some cases such as wheel-throwing, much repetitive practice is needed to learn the skill. But once my students reach my more advanced classes, or decide that they wish to pursue art as their career, I begin to take a step back and lean more towards Cognitive Constructivism; allowing the students own intrinsic motivation to take over, and encouraging as much research, and experimentation as possible. Vygotsky states that, “It must not be forgotten that the basic law of children's creativity is that its value lies not in its results, not in the product of creation, but in the process itself. It is not important what children create, but that they do create, that they exercise and implement their creative imagination.” Social Constructivism comes pretty naturally; students are always motivated by their peers. But I encourage activities such as group critiques and review games where students can talk through what they know to help each other grow.

This is my third year as an Art Educator, but with only a year of Elementary, and a year of High School/Middle School education, I know I still have much to learn. I have realized that it is important to see the bigger picture, and not take things to heart. I have had many students who do not like Art but are put into my class due to a lack of electives. This year I am doing my best to build rapport with my students regardless of their interests in the future, and outside of my class. I encourage them to try it out, have fun with it, and just put their best foot forward. Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do, so it’s best to make the most of it. Some think they just can’t do art. But I tell them as long as they try and put effort into their work they will do really well. After all, I took Art as an elective my senior year after going through medical courses my entire high school career, and I loved it so much that here I am. I have grown so much since then. Art, like anything else, just takes practice, and anyone can do it if they try.