Teaching philosophy

 The experience of teaching is like trying to keep eighteen or more leaking buckets full of water. This is the challenge when a classroom full of students requires constant attention, as well as encouragement from the instructors.

My teaching practices are based these experiences as well as on my experiences as a student.  As an undergraduate at the University of Iowa, I remember one instructor who stood out in the ceramics department, Simon Levin. Simon took an interest in teaching that went beyond what was required for the course. When the majority of the class failed a test he calmly announced we would all be taking the exam over again until everyone got a perfect score. This demonstrated to me his emphasis on understanding. Another aspect of his course that I have come to appreciate as an instructor was his equal emphasis on developing conceptual, formal, and technical processes. Simon's dedication to teaching provided a fundamental understanding of the media that allowed me continued success beyond the class.

Teaching is a profession of the greatest significance. As an instructor it has been my goal to increase students' visual and verbal understanding of art by instilling in them the commitment to developing their craft. The success of a student's education is directly connected to the effort an instructor puts into the class. A maxim incorporated into my teaching style is that "information is not knowledge", rather knowledge is the application of information. The satisfaction in teaching art comes from watching students take their education and turn personal experience into visual statements.