Teaching Philosophy
Being an educator is directly part of my own creative practice; it is inspiring, challenging, and rewarding.It is opportunity to share my passion for learning and encourage curiosity.
My teaching philosophy stems from my own experiences as a student, graphic designer, maker, and instructor. I am constantly learning new things, exploring new methodologies, and furthering my creative endeavors.
My goal is to create an atmosphere that supports all students through encouragement, approachability, and exploration to foster their growth while maintaining high expectations. I strive to create a positive environment where students feel comfortable exploring new ideas, asking questions, and challenging themselves.
Instilling Positive Learning Opportunities
Creating a Collaborative and Inclusive Environment
Within my educational and career experiences, the most beneficial experiences have been collaborating with others. Collaboration creates an inclusive and diverse environment where all perspectives and ideas are welcome. I encourage student collaboration and support through different critique methods, individual, team, and multi-disciplinary projects throughout courses. This prepares students for successful careers in a variety of environments.
Embracing Experimentation and Exploration
The education environment provides a lot of room to experiment and explore. There are endless opportunities to try out new concepts, investigate, research, and analyze. We must be actively curious to develop skills and evolve our creative practice. I strive to provide projects, workshops, and opportunities for students to think outside the box, take risks, and discover their full potential. Facing these challenges creates opportunities for students to be open to new and different methodologies.
Critical Thinking and Discussion
We are all constantly learning. Instilling a positive learning environment through conversations and discussions is vital for students, faculty, and the University. It is our social responsibility to lead with respect, empathy, and equity while having a positive attitude towards the projects, content, people, and the overall community. This sense of understanding creates an atmosphere where inclusivity and guidance can thrive.
One of my goals is for students to find value through thinking critically about not only graphic design but all components of their education and the world around them. It is vital to be an active participant that contributes to discussions, topics, and critiques while being conscious self-evaluators. We must balance between being a listener and a communicator to support others. I encourage students to find their own voice within the classroom and demonstrate their personality. An important part of my own life has been reflecting upon my experiences, being open to discovering new things, and evolving my skills and mindset. This is fundamental to understanding ourselves, building confidence and achieving goals.
It is my responsibility to foster this philosophy through lectures, studio classes, and feedback while being an active resource to both students and faculty. I am mindful of ensuring that each class is presented in a way that is meaningful to my students through diverse, relevant, and professional content that prepares them for their careers and practice.