Mission of Teaching Statement

Upon completion of my master's program in art education and to wrap up 2021, I have updated my "why" with the following...

Mission of Teaching Statement: To continue exploring and renewing my own passion for art, learning, and teaching, so I can inspire my students to explore their own passions and interests through the creative process while using a growth mindset.

Growth Mindset And The Creative Process At The Secondary Level

The Eight Studio Habits of Mind often called SHoM from Harvard Graduate School's Project Zero (2016) offers an applicable and relevant framework in the art room and beyond the art room walls. Placing awareness on these creative habits, allows students to inform themselves about how they work as artists and individuals. As students witness and acknowledge their own improvement, self-confidence in their artistic abilities increases overtime. 

It is important to recognize, that by practicing the Eight Studio Habits of Mind (2016) with a growth mindset or the belief that improvement is possible through hardwork and determination (Dweck, 2006), students will be better equipped for the demands of the 21st-century.

Combining SHoM and growth mindset helps with understanding what actually takes place during the artmaking process. Whether it is developing craft or engaging with concepts. These guidelines make students more aware of the creative process. Thus, through discovery, reflection, and application they can better see their own learning. 

Harvard Graduate School's eight habits are as follows: Engage & Persist, Stretch & Explore, Envision, Observe, Reflect, Express, Understand Art Worlds, Develop Craft (2016).

The Eight Studio Habits of Mind (2016) are effectively experienced in an encouraging, resilient, and adaptive way. They do not have a specific order, rather, they occur organically during student-centered learning to help meet the needs of the learner as the need arises. Each habit may come up several times over the course of an art class per student.

My classroom preference: I have adjusted the original habit category Understand Art Worlds to "Artistic Community." The term community invokes collaboration and seems more relatable in our classroom environment.

In addition, I separate engage from Engage & Persist as well as stretch from Stretch & Explore, dividing the eight habits into ten. In this way, chunking material helps facilitate student understanding.

In summary, consistently using studio habits while encouraging a growth mindset in the art room allows students to see their own improvement overtime, thus cultivating self-confidence. Practicing and reflecting on the creative process helps students gain self-awareness and self-management skills. 

How are the Eight Studio Habits of Mind (2016) and growth mindset connected to other subject areas?

How can student self-awareness during the creative process be cultivated in the secondary art room? What strategies can be used?

Resources: 

Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House. 

Harvard Graduate School. (2016). Project Zero. http://www.pz.harvard.edu/

Feeling Inspired: Radial Designs (Colored Pencil)

Acorn

Turquoise Flower

Stop Motion Radial Design Process

Thoughts on creativity as inspired by author, Sir Ken Robinson

The following shows my inspired response to author, Sir Ken Robinson’s book: Out Of Our Minds: The Power of Being Creative; 3rd edition, (2017). Robinson discusses 9 principles (of which I have chosen 3 to share) about the roles of a creative leader. To provide further context, Robinson is a determinedly driven force and advocate of creativity in our global economy, education systems, and within ourselves to ensure forward thinking in the 21st century landscape.

"Principle 1: everyone has creative potential (Robinson, p. 191)"

“I’m not creative.” These words have echoed thousands of times. Everyone has creative potential. It's a matter of unlocking it...

What are your strengths?

What are you passionate about? Unsure? Try new things,

Discover in the process.

The phrase, “I am not creative” is false… We are all creative in different ways. This transcends beyond the classroom and beyond the arts. Creative potential is everywhere, it is within ourselves, it is beyond ourselves, it is the essence of life and the universe. You’re a living, independently thinking, dreaming, breathing miracle. “Being in your element is not only about aptitude, it’s about passion: it is about loving what you do (Robinson, p. 194).” Kid, you’ve got potential. Keep imagining, keep playing, keep on creating.

"Principle 3: we can all learn to be more creative (Robinson, p. 196)"

There is always room for growth no matter how great

or not so great you think you are. 

Perseverance, mindset, practice, analysis, assessment, reflection,

and refinement are all important components to improving our

individual creativity. 

Dear Reader,

You have to want it.

I BELiEVE in you.

We BELiEVE in you.

Most importantly,

You need to BELiEVE  in you. 

With love and encouragement,

Your Support System

"Principle 6: creativity takes time (Robinson, p. 201)"

The CREATIVE PROCESS takes time. Mistakes happen (it's okay!).

Please be kind and patient towards yourself and

others along the way!

There is a reason why we call an artwork a work-in-progress. There are MANY stages: planning (goal setting and decision-making), both problem identifying and problem solving. There may be a need for inquiry and research before finalizing ideas... along with... experimentation and practice, applying materials and techniques, communicating/collaborating: sharing, reflecting, responding and refining. The creative process is certainly a PROCESS (both independent and collaborative).

Resource:

Robinson, K. (2017). Out of Our Minds-The Power of Being Creative-Third Edition.

United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Chapter 9; The Roles and Principles of Creative Leadership, pp. 191-207.

Seeds of Kindness Steps

Seeds of Kindness. Acrylic on canvas.

Jaybird Street and Garden of Plenty

Jaybird Street

Garden of Plenty