My Teaching Philosophy
From my earliest memory, I have always been an artist. I had no idea I was a teacher until I was called on to become one. My journey as an educator and art instructor began ten years ago when I was approached at an exhibition by an admirer who asked to learn from me. Now, as a highly skilled painter and art educator, it is my privilege to share insights from the masters with the new generation of aspiring creators.
My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every individual possesses innate artistic potential waiting to be nurtured. I view myself as a facilitator, guiding students along their individual creative paths. I am dedicated to fostering inclusive classrooms where students feel a sense of belonging and empowerment. By integrating culturally relevant material into my curriculum, I hope to bridge the gap between the traditional art world and the diverse backgrounds of my students. This approach ensures that the learning experience is not only engaging but also meaningful as it draws connections between the students' cultural identities and the art they create.
Art is a universal language and an outlet for expression and healing. In my classroom, the creative process is not just about technique; it is a form of communication through which we can break boundaries. Students can explore and express their thoughts, emotions, and cultural perspectives. Ultimately, my aim is to encourage an open dialogue where students feel comfortable sharing their stories and expressing their thoughts, emotions, and cultural perspectives for a better sense of interconnectedness.
-Louisa McHugh
My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every individual possesses innate artistic potential waiting to be nurtured. I view myself as a facilitator, guiding students along their individual creative paths. I am dedicated to fostering inclusive classrooms where students feel a sense of belonging and empowerment. By integrating culturally relevant material into my curriculum, I hope to bridge the gap between the traditional art world and the diverse backgrounds of my students. This approach ensures that the learning experience is not only engaging but also meaningful as it draws connections between the students' cultural identities and the art they create.
Art is a universal language and an outlet for expression and healing. In my classroom, the creative process is not just about technique; it is a form of communication through which we can break boundaries. Students can explore and express their thoughts, emotions, and cultural perspectives. Ultimately, my aim is to encourage an open dialogue where students feel comfortable sharing their stories and expressing their thoughts, emotions, and cultural perspectives for a better sense of interconnectedness.
-Louisa McHugh
Creating a Positive Learning Environment
To cultivate a positive learning environment, it is essential to set clear expectations right from the start. As an advocate for inclusivity, I involve students in the decision-making process, empowering their voices through the creation of a community contract at the start of the academic year. My beliefs center around fostering a classroom characterized by empathy and mutual respect.
Teacher Performance Expectations
I strive to engage and support all students in learning by designing culturally relevant lesson plans that promote inclusivity and draw from students' funds of knowledge. I take great care to get to know my students as individuals in order to create meaningful lessons that reflect their experiences. With the use of a popular culture survey, I assess specific needs and interests in order to find out what is important to them. Additionally, great consideration is taken to accommodate different abilities and multilingual learners. By offering translated instructions and modified assignments, I work to make sure all students succeed.
I create and maintain effective environments for student learning by forming community agreements and empowering student voices so we might have room for open discourse and develop a strong sense of mutual respect. Right from the start, we establish routines and promote social and emotional learning, with an emphasis on art as a tool for healing.
To keep my classes relevant, I integrate different forms of technology and keep myself up to date on California's Teaching Standards. My lessons are designed to be challenging, and I support engaging with other disciplines to promote cross-disciplinary learning. The visual arts can be incorporated into all subjects, and I am always eager to find more ways to join forces and make learning an exciting and meaningful experience.
I create and maintain effective environments for student learning by forming community agreements and empowering student voices so we might have room for open discourse and develop a strong sense of mutual respect. Right from the start, we establish routines and promote social and emotional learning, with an emphasis on art as a tool for healing.
To keep my classes relevant, I integrate different forms of technology and keep myself up to date on California's Teaching Standards. My lessons are designed to be challenging, and I support engaging with other disciplines to promote cross-disciplinary learning. The visual arts can be incorporated into all subjects, and I am always eager to find more ways to join forces and make learning an exciting and meaningful experience.