Supporting the students creative and emotional needs is a key element of my teaching philosophy. The art room is more than a classroom, it acts as an explorative space where the student’s individuality is not only encouraged but celebrated. As an artist and educator, I understand the value of creating a safe space where you can express yourself. My classroom is a supportive environment where the students are invited to investigate their identity, to question their role in social justice issues and learn how to express themselves through a variety of mediums.

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Through co curation and delivery the students and I build a sense of community. In order for a student to understand and communicate clearly their views on art they need to have the terminology and skills. Each lesson is centred around developing an understanding of the Art Elements and Design Principles. As I matured as a teacher my pedagogical approach shifted towards questioning to drive the learning. Inclusion is top priority; becoming aware of specific learning needs and styles allows me to differentiate the lessons so each student receives an equal education experience. Bloom's taxonomy allows me to differentiate questioning from higher to lower order. Utilising visual thinking strategies invites students to express their opinions and practice using the vocabulary they are learning. When words fail, we think back to our class motto Let your drawing do the talking. As Georgia O’Keeffe says, “I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for”.

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