Jessa Morissey

            Art education not only enhances students’ understanding of their world, but aids in developing skills that are necessary for the world beyond school. The arts teach students patience, flexibility, the ability to solve problems, communicate effectively, be innovative, and to strive for excellence. On top of this, the arts harbor a sense of value and accomplishment which can foster an individual’s sense of identity. Art needs to be taught by a person who is passionate, knowledgeable and outgoing in creating and teaching the arts. Therefore, as an art educator, I have the responsibility to provide my students with an outlet for their creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression in a learning environment that addresses the needs of a diverse population. It is my goal to develop their appreciation for art, in hopes that they will continue to show interest for the arts in the future. I understand that not every student will come into my classroom and have a passion for art that matches my own, but with the enthusiasm that I bring to each lesson I hope to introduce them to the value that the arts have in our daily lives.

            My job is to guide these young artists through a curriculum that provides for positive, creative and informative choice making, while still adhering to state, district and school guidelines. I am inspired by emergent/constructivist theories in education, that combine student’s interests and passions in art in a culturally and socially relevant way. The job of an artist is to create art about the things that fascinate them, and to find the best medium to express those ideas.  I have come to believe through personal experience that the arts teach students how to make decisions and problem-solve. I expect my students to be curious, to try new things, ask questions, and to reflect on their own learning and creative processes.

           A student in my classroom will encounter a multitude of art media from two dimensional drawing, to three dimensional sculpture all the way to digital media. Through a wide variety of art lessons, the students will build up a mental arsenal of tools and techniques that they enjoy making art with. We will explore the history of art and its impact on contemporary art and today’s pop culture, and use these topics to influence the direction of our lessons. Together we will investigate the students’ interests and personal experiences, current issues and pop-culture, and other topics that intrigue them to produce unique and personal pieces of art.

          Continuing my education is very important to me, I always feel like there is something new to learn.  Being an active member of the National Art Education Association(NAEA) keeps me up to date on relevant pedagogics and teaching strategies. I am constantly looking for ways to improve my subject knowledge and I set an example for my students by continuing to be a working artist, where I explore my own curiosities in order to learn and grow from them, just like what I expect of my art students.