Statement of teaching philosophy

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.