Welcome to my education website.
As an elementary and alternative high school art educator, I had the great pleasure of teaching in Grand Haven Area Public Schools for 3 years from 2015 to 2018, teaching within 6 buildings. Before my time with GHAPS I taught elementary art at Troy School District and I completed my student teaching at Spring Lake High School.
See my blog from my time at Peach Plains:
Peach Plains Art Room
See my blog from my time at Peach Plains:
Peach Plains Art Room
My Teaching Philosophy
"Every child is an artist" - Pablo Picasso
Reflection is crucial for improvement, and for that reason my teaching philosophy is always evolving. I consider one of my greatest strengths as an individual and as an educator to be empathy. Every time I go into a new classroom I enjoy gaining a greater understanding of the students, school environment, and community in order to tailor the educational experience to their interests and needs.
I am an advocate for consistent and congruent goal setting. My objectives as a teacher and for all of my future students are to:
For my students I will act not only as a teacher and artist, but as a mentor, counselor, and role model. I strive to create a compassionate, nurturing environment where students will feel safe to take risks and be themselves without fear. They will learn that making mistakes gives them a chance to improve and making art is experiential.
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." - Pablo Picasso
I am an advocate for consistent and congruent goal setting. My objectives as a teacher and for all of my future students are to:
- Teach students new ways of looking at the world and thinking outside the box.
- Encourage students to push their creative bounds and inspire innovation.
- Make genuine connections with students to promote personal growth and development.
- Introduce students to social justice and their ability to affect positive change in their communities.
- Put emphasis on service learning and volunteerism.
- Foster self-expression, exploration, and confidence.
- Engage students with contemporary use of emerging technology.
- Instill value in not only art-making, but meaning-making.
- Concentrating on a cross-curricular approach to art education to enhance overall learning.
For my students I will act not only as a teacher and artist, but as a mentor, counselor, and role model. I strive to create a compassionate, nurturing environment where students will feel safe to take risks and be themselves without fear. They will learn that making mistakes gives them a chance to improve and making art is experiential.
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." - Pablo Picasso
A Little Bit About Me
I graduated from Central Michigan University in May 2012 with a Bachelors of Applied Arts in 2D Art with a minor in Psychology. After working at Wichita State University for a semester as an Assistant Residence Life Coordinator I decided to return to CMU to complete my teaching degree in Visual Arts K-12, which I earned in December 2014. After graduation, I earned my first teaching job with Troy School District and in 2015 I had the deep honor of teaching art at Grand Haven Area Public Schools for 3 years.
When I am not in the classroom I also work as an RYT 200 Yoga Instructor, which I find very valuable as an educator as it allows me to integrate mindfulness and meditation into all of my classroom settings. In my free time, I enjoy making my own art, spending time outdoors, vegan cooking, and playing with my rescue pup, Mr. President.
When I am not in the classroom I also work as an RYT 200 Yoga Instructor, which I find very valuable as an educator as it allows me to integrate mindfulness and meditation into all of my classroom settings. In my free time, I enjoy making my own art, spending time outdoors, vegan cooking, and playing with my rescue pup, Mr. President.