Statement of teaching philosophy
MFA Sylvia Vera
I believe in passion. Passion for what you do. I am proud already for
students who decide to dedicate their lives to art. However this is not an easy
way. Many students nowadays believe that education is the only means to become
iconic individuals in their field. This may be theater, medicine, engineering,
etc. Their only drive to become educated is the need to become successful.
Sometimes they forget that learning is not only for a specific goal, but instead,
there is also beauty in accepting new information for the sake of understanding
and appreciation of what surrounds us. But on top of all that they forget that
learning is for passion and not for merit.
In the field of fine arts, the aim of the artist should not be to become
famous. It is to express and to share only because the artist can. This is
their passion. Their drive to do something different every morning and think on
what they are going to tell the world that day. This is something that is missed
and forgotten by the majority of those that teach. It is important to bring
back that idea; In my experience, I like to make exercises where the student
can explore in their inner self, to inspire them in order to give them tools to
become artists and show them that expressing themselves should come with no
other reward but that of emotion.
In my class, my students learn to express their emotions and will be
able to make a connection in what they do by making a connection between body
and mind. They’ll learn to take out those thoughts. Those ideas into the
exterior. This will be in a friendly environment in which every learner will
leave their work inside the classroom and will not be able to take it with them
until the class is over. I believe in team effort, practical work and
improvisation. The element of surprise is essential and students should know
that anything can and will happen while they are learning.
Discipline is of upmost importance and a great part of my philosophy.
Discipline to follow procedures. Discipline to respect. Discipline to embrace
and do what must be done to attain the daily goal. Without this, there will be
chaos and trust in each individual would be lost. Therefore, it is imperative
that my students know and understand the importance of this rarely known
concept called “discipline”. At the end
of the day, passion will be found and
learners will be able to connect themselves with their inner artist.
