Teaching
My teaching philosophy is based on theories in art education, teaching experience, and my art practice.
As I taught in different countries and cultures I searched out the possibilities in Art Education programs and theories or different curriculum in Art Education. In the fine arts some of these included:
- Studio Thinking, by Lonis Hetland, Ellen Winner, Shirley Veenema, Kimberly M.Sheridan
- Artful Scribbles, by Howard Gardner
- Creative and Mental Growth, by Lowenfeld and Brittain
- Experiential Learning in the Classroom, by Scott D. Wurdlinger
While teaching Visual Art in Slovakia, I learned and practiced in the high school classroom the method of Studio Thinking (@project zero, createquity), or Teaching for Artistic Behaviours (TAB). Using the combination of common studio practices, demonstration/lecture, student-work-in-progress, and feedback/critique, it includes the 8 Habits of Mind, or dispositions, based on research done in successful art classrooms across America. I carry this experience forward with me, mixing it into my teaching strategies.
In Slovakia, I also taught IB Visual Arts for 3.5 years. Students graduated and attend Central St. Martins, London; Leeds College of Art & Design, England; and applications to Savannah College of Art & Design, USA.
Technology is integrated in my classroom, in the following ways;
- Digital program access, Image Manipulation, Vector Illustration etc.
- Art Class/Teacher Blog (with assignments, links, and curriculum)
- Blog Portfolios
- 3D pen (access)
- QR code research Bulletin Board
- Making Ink from Plants (Budapest, Hungary, CEESA)
- Anishnaabe traditional arts (e.g. leather craft, and storytelling, Great Moon Gathering in Matheson, ON)
- Poser Software in the Art Classroom (Durham District School Board, Oshawa,ON)
My own interests and research have resulted in the web sites:
- Through the Sketchbook
- Modern Art Survey, with Women in Mind
- Art Brut Education Kit
I provided the PD workshop, Art for Multiple Subject Elementary Classrooms, to Teachers at the QSI Eastern Europe PD days (Bratislava, Slovakia).
I am certified by the Ontario College of Teachers, Canada, and have met the Province of Ontario standards in the Visual Arts. I have also found them to be an excellent guide for my international teaching placement.
As an exhibiting artist, I also bring with me experience from the professional art world and 15+ years working as a Graphic Designer in Publication design, with illustration experience. A few of my reference books are:
- Passion and Pedagogy, edited by Elijah Mirochnik, Debora Claiborne Sherman
- On Not Being Able to Paint, by Marion Milner
Lesa Moriarity, OCT
BFA, Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design, 2000
MFA, University of Leeds, 2003
BEd, Queen’s University, 2007