My Art Teaching Philosophy 

Hello, my name is Maria Serrano, and I will be earning a Bachelor’s degree in Art with a minor in Art Education this coming Spring. I have earned four associate degrees from Los Angeles Pierce College, where I was honored to be placed on the Dean’s List for three consecutive semesters. This recognition earned me a spot on the Presidential Honor Roll and allowed me to graduate cum laude. Over the last three semesters at CSUN I have continued to strive to earn two additional dean's list and the privilege to be graduating with honors this spring of 2025. Art has been my passion for as long as I can remember. My journey began in kindergarten when I was first introduced to crayons and paint. I was fascinated by the process of mixing colors and discovering new shades from just a few primary colors. This early excitement for creativity grew throughout my childhood and into my teenage years. In middle school, I began drawing flowers and facial features, often giving my creations to friends. In high school, art became a way for me to express myself freely, so I eagerly enrolled in every art class available—woodworking, calligraphy, and more. These experiences deepened my love for art and solidified my decision to pursue it further. 

Now, that I transfer to a four-year university, I am focused on earning my degree in Art and my minor in Art Education, with the end goal of earning my credentials and become an art teacher for a public school. My ultimate goal as an art educator is to inspire the same sense of joy and discovery in my students that I felt when I first encountered the world of art. I aim to spark curiosity and enthusiasm in those who may not yet have appreciation for art, helping them develop skills that will serve them well both in and outside the classroom. I believe that the creative process can teach valuable life lessons, and I am excited to share that with future generations. I want to be able to encourage my students so they can engage and be present, while also creating a balance in their learning journey. I aspire to create a classroom environment where I can implement differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of my students, enabling them to reach their full potential. I plan to incorporate a variety of learning modalities—visual, kinesthetic, auditory, and written—ensuring that every student can engage in ways that best suit their learning style. I firmly believe that each child is unique and has the capacity to excel academically at all levels. With the support of parents, I am confident we can empower every student to achieve academic success and grow to their fullest potential. Aside from learning how to properly create my own personal lesson plans, I wish to continue to use diversity and inclusity method to help all those students who feel that for some reason or another that they don't belong.