Education is a versatile and dynamic field with diverse perspectives on how it should be approached. In art education, this is much more prevalent as there are so many different disciplines to be taught and endless ways to teach them. This idea never escapes me when reflecting on my pedagogy that harnesses a student's process in learning and my readiness to give my students an honest, thoughtful, and transparent learning environment. I believe growth must come from within and if students were given more opportunities to pave a path of learning that best suits them, they would be much more suited to success.

    I struggled at an early age with being engaged in school activities and constantly felt left out of a topic due to my own developmental needs. Students may come into a classroom from many different backgrounds and perspectives and may feel disengaged if topics they are naturally curious about are not acknowledged. Just as in Jean Piaget’s Theory of Constructivism, I believe that students should be supported in forming a classroom environment that takes their interests and needs and uses them to enhance a curriculum for their success. This is why creating an appropriate environment that is transparent about social, economic, emotional, and cultural aspects can be beneficial for the rate at which students can be engaged and learn. 

    In the field of art education, there is a better opportunity to achieve this process of autonomy through engaging projects that highlight a student’s unique perspective, and collaborative efforts that require active listening and reflection. Also, students would be able to construct a broader knowledge of visual art skills that best suit them as individuals and allow for creative expression. My goal is to have students leave my classroom with a wider perspective that fosters their personal growth while also achieving practical skills in visual arts. To create an environment where respectful listening and honest communication are ongoing and hands-on activities pave a path for successful student engagement. In a classroom setting, my leadership approach would consistently adjust to the unique needs and interests of my students, striking a harmonious balance between their abilities and the academic expectations