“A teacher is of course an artist, but being an artist does not mean that he or she can make the profile, shape the students. What the educator does in teaching is to make it possible for the students to become themselves.” Paolo Freire
Art is so cool! Did you know that humans are one of few creatures that can express their beliefs, thoughts, and emotions by creating art? Some think that you have to have a specific talent or proclivity towards creative expression, but just like with any muscle, our brains and bodies need the right guidance and practice to be able to articulate our ideas.
I have been expressing myself through art ever since I was able to hold a pencil; now it’s my turn to elicit that excitement about creating from my own students, while providing a safe environment to make mistakes and think outside of the box. There is beauty in learning and sharing knowledge, and I can’t wait to play my part in guiding our youth towards independence and creative thinking.
Aside from brains and painting, other hobbies and interests of mine include traveling, hiking with my dog Scooby, making music, and learning languages. Also, baking! If you send me any recipe, chances are I’ll try it. Scooby also makes a great sous-chef. Here is a picture of him on the Appalachian Trail!
My teaching goals are straightforward:
- Grow the technical skillset of my classroom of artists
- Create a room of empowered learners that look embrace challenges
- Cultivate a warm learning environment where students feel safe making mistakes and thinking unconventionally
- Teach students to adopt reflective practices into both their art and their personal lives
To learn more about my personal teaching philosophy, click here!
silverrv@hollins.edu | (804) 878-4249