Before children speak, they sing. Before they write, they paint. As soon as they stand, they dance. Art is the basis of human expression. - PHYLICIA RASHAD
K-8 Teaching Artist Portfolio
Welcome to my teaching artist portfolio
You will be able to navigate through teaching artifacts, resources, lesson plans, and more that inform my curriculum and creative teaching practice!
As I learn and expand my curriculum, I hope to develop a pedagogy that centers arts and creative movement as a catalyst for learning, healing, and social justice .
An introduction to my teaching practice
Creative movement as a catalyst!
As an African-American former aged out fostered youth, an affirming dance community was usually my safe place and a way to seek comfort, nurture, and a sense of familiarity from an individual and shared standpoint in times of unrest.
In my teaching practice, I strive to inspire young minds about how the arts can be an incredible outlet and life changing medium to express themselves and find healing through creative dance/movement.
My curriculum focuses on the ways in which I can engage and introduce underserved youth, primarily black students (ages k-8) to an array of creative methods in movement that can provide a platform to express themselves, inform them about their identity, culture, and historical contexts, expand their critical thinking across subject areas, and prepare them for real world scenarios through project based and hands on learning in dance.
As "dance investigators" and "student choreographers", students will be able to use what they learn in my creative dance class and apply it across multiple subject areas to build a better understanding through kinesthetic learning.
Creative dance will not only introduce movement and choreography, but will implement a diverse subject matter such as elements of dance, choreography and performance, dance history in a global context, S.T.E.A.M, subject area arts integration, technology, applied theatre exercises, reading/literacy, digital media, and more!
Teaching Philosophy
During my childhood, the arts was a healing and therapeutic outlet that helped me immensely in times of loss, grief, fear, and confusion.
My childhood and adolescent years greatly influenced my current passions, aspirations, goals, and interests, especially in field of the arts and dance education.
In the past, I looked up positively to figures and mentors who inspired me to push beyond my limits to reach my academic, artistic, and professional dreams and goals. Therefore, I will make it my duty to communicate and translate my passion for the arts through the strategies and mechanisms I incorporate into my teaching methods and classroom environment that will serve as an example for students.
I expect and strive for my students to enter and leave my class feeling invigorated, motivated, inspired, and empowered each and every time. Students will understand they are truly capable if they have a dream and apply themselves regardless of their circumstances. I believe effort, motivation, and discipline is the key driver for creative success; therefore, I will make sure to motivate my students and remind them of their capabilities and potential by embracing and encouraging their individual gifts and talents.
Autonomy, communication, and creative voice will be highly encouraged inside the classroom. Our classroom community will be one that is uplifting and inspiring. Students will be encouraged to motivate and uplift one another to promote a classroom that is enjoyable and free of judgement. I want students to know that their voice, opinions, and concerns matter. I will support my students by creating an inclusive, engaging, supportive, accommodating, judgement free, atmosphere that will promote successful learning.
I believe that a great educator is a mentor, role model, leader, advocate, changemaker, and innovator who displays uplifting, inspiring, understanding, supportive, creative, accommodating, and loving approaches to teaching. These traits are important and necessary because it shows students the positive impact of education and how it encourages positive performance and artistic expression.
I see the future of dance education where it allows students to have full autonomy over decisions about how they best learn. Bringing back informed teaching methods and approaches while steering away from notions of perfectionism and discrimination allows for a classroom that will thrive and operate in the best light possible. I will continue to grow as an educator by expanding my knowledge, consistently learning, and growing with my students, as well as accepting, analyzing, and applying feedback that will create a safe, collaborative, supportive, and healthy learning environment.
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