I expect to encounter differences among my future students. I expect to meet those differences with understanding, compassion and to help in any way that I can through teaching for effective learning. According to Woolfolk (2014) the downfall to labeling students can become their fate because they are labeled (p. 130). I think labels can be damaging to students and how they are perceived at times. According to Woolfolk (2014) labels can be a “stigma” that people including the labeled students themselves think is permanent, negatively affecting them (p. 130). I will have high expectations for all of my students in order for them to strive to achieve to the best of their ability. I hope to be encouraging as an art teacher for students to grow in making art.
Students will come from diverse backgrounds whether that is culturally, racially, economically or ability level. I think is important to be understanding of outside factors that affect students’ lives and can have a significant impact into their time in the school day and their education. I will plan to have a cultural competent classroom. From what we discussed in class, a culturally competent classroom entails reaching all students, have diverse education, promote resilience, having culturally relevant pedagogy and implementing multicultural instruction. It is important not to judge students and their backgrounds because we are all individuals. It is my goal to get to know my students so that I can plan lessons and activities that will be engaging and informative for them.
A difference I might encounter as a future art teacher is cultural differences. I plan on having projects that are featuring historical and cultural forms of art from around the world and not just focusing on one culture or only a dominant culture. I think it is important to plan for this because cultures have been appropriating from each other over time, influencing and drawing from each other. Teaching about the history of art can lead to acceptance, tolerance and understanding of other cultures. According to Van Camp (2004) talking about societal issues portrayed in modern art can relate back to “earlier views” from previous “historical periods” (p. 36). I think it is important for students to learn about many different art forms. In a diverse class where students have different cultures they can learn about their own culture as well as others to have a better worldview.
References
Van Camp, J. C. (2004). Visual culture and aesthetics: everything old is new again…. or is it?. Arts Education Policy Review, 106(1), 33-37.
Woolfolk, A. E. (2014). Educational psychology: active learning edition (12th ed.).
Boston: Pearson.
I like your idea of incorporating different culture’s art into your classroom as opposed to just focusing on the dominant culture. Art is the perfect class to bring diversity in and learn through an artistic perspective. Maybe you could elaborate and try to add different cultures every new class or even let the kids pick ones that they are interested in learning about so they are even more motivated to engage.