Public education is the keystone to a prosperous future in our country. All children, regardless of socio-economic or cultural background, have the right to learn. As an educator, it is my responsibility to teach my students not only art content, but learning skills that they may transfer to other disciplines and use in life. Our students must be given every opportunity to gain confidence, practice self-discipline, and learn to communicate productively with the world around them.

The classroom should reflect an environment where students are equally valued, and given fair access to participate in their education. The most influential factor is how I role model learning as a life-long process. My love of art is reflected in my continuing education, participation in shows, knowledge of the arts in the local and larger communities, and joy in creating with my students. Every one of us is a learner and a teacher. The more a teacher learns from students, the more they learn from the teacher. To foster an environment where students can learn, and learn well, all students must be respected as teachers and learners. Venerating creative expression, members of the class bring their varied abilities, cultural backgrounds, and personal experiences to the Art room. "Teaching is the achievement of shared meaning."

In the book, Holes, by Louis Sachar, a lonely, misunderstood boy is sent to a camp for juvenile delinquents. While there, he teaches a taunted mate to read, gains confidence, and together they discover a treasure. The boys change their attitudes and realize that teaching and learning from each other will successfully reunite them with their families and the community. My job as a teacher is to facilitate meaning-based learning by connecting with others and the community. Meaning-based content is essential with our students, because it prefaces learning with respect for the students' lives. When I listen and respond carefully, my students listen and respond carefully to me.

One of my biggest teaching challenges is turning attitudes around. At Passport, many of our students have discovered great success in being "bad." Peers stand in awe, parents/guardians give long-awaited attention, and negative attention is better than no attention at all. Shifting blame is common. Students are so used to failing that they mask insecurities with behaviors that are harmful to their success. As a teacher, I must first provide a safe, equitable environment where students may openly communicate using a variety of methods. My next priority is to engage them in the first-hand experience and power of Art Making. Once they're excited and kinesthetically involved, it is easier to connect personal meaning to the art processes. Motivation occurs when my students are personally connected, and this is the point where content is provided. My students would be insulted if I "watered down" a lesson.

At Passport Academy, I asked my students what makes a good teacher, and many of them said, "A teacher who cares and listens to you. A teacher who respects you, and tries to figure out why you have your answer, and doesn't just think you're stupid. A teacher who knows you can do it."