Art Education is a vital component to a child’s development. Besides allowing children the opportunity to dream and imagine, art promotes the development of problem solving skills. The act of making art also allows students to fully participate in the moment and block out other distractions. Students need this type of meditative practice during the day and also need to know they are capable of making precious and valued art pieces. Art has been an essential part of my own upbringing and education. Personally, studying art history has helped me to make sense of the historical timeline and to understand the order of major world events. Art education is key to a person’s development as a human and essential to understanding one’s connection to all humankind.  

The arts link all people by providing common languages, a millennia long history of making, singing, dancing, writing and performing. The arts provide a means for people to work in collaboration as a community. Art finds its way into all areas of study.  Therefore, the arts can be used to teach a myriad of subjects. Most importantly, art enables us to learn that we are all part of the same family. From my perspective, the art room is a place of revelation and the arts offer us all a place of belonging. For students, art class will mean different things and serve different purposes. Before a classroom of children can delve into specific lessons and appreciate our connection to past societies, students must feel safe and comfortable in the present. 

Teachers can’t expect cooperation and engagement from students if students don’t feel at ease or supported in the classroom. Without a connection, they may not even want to participate. Many of my students love art as much as I do. Others are not yet aware that they possess artistic ability. By providing various ways for students to participate in class, those who have yet to realize their artistic potential can feel they have agency in their school work. In the art room there are so many ways for students to be a part of the activity. Students engage in class by distributing supplies, prepping materials, coaching peers, delivering content, co-designing rubrics and providing feedback to others. Everyone is valued for their contribution. Here, in the school setting, the establishment of a positive and welcoming community takes precedence over everything else.  

I have been teaching for many years which has allowed me the time to gain perspective on my role in the classroom. It took me several years to fully realize that my love for the subject I teach must take a back seat to developing positive relationships with my students. I am kind, firm, and consistent as an educator. I speak in a language which encourages students to be their best selves. I establish the expectation that students will contribute to a positive and respectful learning environment. I feel it is important for students to know that, at school, we are here to care for and support one another. The art and magic of teaching reveal themselves through the students’ interactions with each other and the teacher. When students know they are valued members of a community, they will open up to explore their creativity and share their personal gifts.