Heather Beattie Email and Phone Number

Art is Empowering.In our contemporary society, empowerment in art is the knowledge of what is going on and having the confidence to react creatively. Empowerment in art translates to ingenuity and resourcefulness in all areas of life, both of which are necessary skills for success in our current culture.Art is Accepting.Acceptance in art is gained through the exploration of a wide range of styles and media as well as supporting divergent viewpoints. As an educator, I want to help students find their own artistic drive and show them the variety of ways in which artistic behavior can be used to create a successful life whether or not it involves art directly. The far-reaching effects of art education makes art accessible to all types of learners, and I plan to take advantage of this to create a community of supportive artists that learn from one another.Art is Challenging.The challenge of art for students is developing craft that allows them to convey their ideas intentionally and successfully through the manipulation of chosen media. But my challenge as an educator is to push students beyond technical skill and into the questioning of everything by asking the important questions that spark debate, ignite interest, and promote deeper investigation. By examining everything about art, students begin to see the importance of digging deeper in their daily lives.Art is Pertinent.Empowerment, acceptance and challenges are key components to a contemporary art studio but their core concepts are applicable both in the educational setting and outside the classroom. I don’t expect the majority of my students to pursue art beyond the high school level, but I hope to encourage students to explore their own creativity, whatever form that may take. It is empowering and challenging as a teacher to be able to inspire self-driven creativity and build an accepting environment in which to investigate and question art.