Welcome to Outlook Academy

Philosophy & Approach

My teaching philosophy centers on fostering a creative, student-centered learning environment grounded in the Studio Habits of Mind and Teaching for Artistic Behavior (T.A.B.) approach to art instruction. I believe art education helps students build confidence in their creativity, think outside the box, and challenge themselves to create meaningful, personal artwork. Through the creative process, students also develop valuable interpersonal and transferable skills, including hands-on problem-solving, perseverance, self-expression, and the ability to find innovative solutions.

I believe in setting high expectations for students’ personal growth, not only in their artmaking, but also in becoming the best version of themselves. My goal is to encourage students to take creative risks, develop independence, strengthen their critical thinking skills, and grow in confidence both as artists and as individuals.

To support student success, I incorporate instructional strategies such as scaffolding, chunking lessons, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and the Gradual Release of Responsibility model. These components are essential to effective teaching and learning, helping students build skills, deepen understanding, and engage meaningfully in their artistic development.

Key Skills Students Will Learn in Visual Arts Classes

Students in my classes will develop a variety of artistic, creative, and transferable life skills. These include creative thinking, problem-solving, self-expression, and the ability to think outside the box. Students will also build confidence, strengthen their fine motor and technical art skills, learn to work with a variety of materials and techniques, and develop perseverance through the creative process. In addition, they will practice following directions, making thoughtful artistic choices, and creating meaningful, personal artwork they can be proud of.