I currently teach textile arts on behalf of ricRACK, as well as act as their education and outreach coordinator.

My teaching philosophy is based on Folkert Haanstra’s 4 principals which form the foundation of an authentic arts education: 

1.     Learning aimed at the culture of the student, providing space for student opinions, interests, and requirements. 
2.     Communication and collaboration, including group tasks, peer evaluations, and presentations. 
3.     Assignments which are derived from, and relate to, art professionals in society.
4.     Creating productive learning environments through complex and complete assignments via global guidelines. 

Assignments must be developmentally appropriate, with controlled freedom and enabling constraints.  I also believe that classroom culture should support John Falk’s 4 dimensions of wellbeing: Personal (creative, spiritual, awesome), Social (part of a social group), Intellectual (choice and control) and Physical (safety).

This philosophy applies to early childhood education, adults, elders and special needs groups. The assignments may address different cognitive and/or mobility issues, but the foundation remains.