Artist Statement Why do we act the way we do? What in our subconscious drives us to share our thoughts and ideas with the world? How do we honor those who came before us while carving out a place for ourselves? These questions have been the foundation of my art and the way I understand my connection to the world. My identity is tied to the cultures that I inherited from my parents, and the new traditions that I introduce. The hands found in many of the pieces represent the one who passes down the culture and the one who receives it. Originally restricting myself to drawing and painting realistically, I slowly began branching out the longer they began to create my series. From drawing and painting, to ceramics, printmaking, and finally photography, the work depicts how I explore a variety of mediums and ways to view one’s journey and self through art. My work exists to straddle the line between remembering the people and cultures that influenced the growth in my identity, and exploration of what is formed from my own experiences.
Teaching Philosophy Teaching means being flexible and understanding that a previously used method of education or instruction may no longer work or requires adaptation. I will strive to create an environment that is adaptable to students diverse needs. I will create an environment where students can embrace their differences and diverse cultures and backgrounds. It is important to me to create a classroom where everyone is comfortable being themselves and connecting with their peers. When teaching, an open mind and compassion can be some of the most important tools an educator has when working with students whose needs may be extremely different from one another. I will work to ensure that when creating lesson plans and assessments I make sure that they are flexible and adaptable based on the needs of the students. I believe that peer review assessments can be just as valuable as rubrics created by the instructor as students may be more willing to hear critiques or ideas from their peers. I will design my classroom as a welcoming and supportive environment that can cater to a variety of students' needs. I will design my curricula and lesson plans to be adjustable based on the materials that may be available as well as being aware of sensory issues students may have. Teaching is about constantly learning from one's students and creating a classroom environment that promotes exploration and inclusivity.