Teaching Philosophy
Teaching Philosophy Statement
In order to achieve artistic quality, it is created with an intention of realizing balance between our human intuition and intellectual application. To produce quality in an art, talent is secondary to one’s ability to realize balance in the exercise. The resulting work will show improvement and quality when executed with this in mind. As an instructor of the visual arts the first and most fundamental lesson is to promote the injection of equal parts humanity and intellectual engagement into the creative moment.
My objective is to instill work ethic, acute compositional interpretive skills, technical competence, appreciation, and understanding of the visual arts. It is my responsibility to teach not only the required skills and content, but to also ensure the student has the ability to function and engage effectively in circles of aesthetic thought. This requires the fostering of critical thinking, problem-solving, and life-long learning skills that are necessary in an ever accelerating and dynamic aesthetic and social climate. To achieve this, I must be attentive to the individual needs of every student under my instruction. When dealing with people of varying skill levels and experience, the means by which we foster creativity must be addressed on an individual basis.
The development of the artist as a professional is an essential part of my philosophy as a teacher. I am active in the national printmaking community and have taken groups of students around the country to attend conferences (Southern Graphics Council, Mid-America Print Alliance) as well as regional and national painting, printmaking, and drawing exhibitions. Students do not realize how accessible the local, regional, and national art scene can be to those willing to take part.
In today’s classroom and society, it is imperative to understand and recognize the variety of cultural, socioeconomic, and personal backgrounds students experience. Fostering an inclusive and safe environment for all students is essential in creating an atmosphere of trust and positivity. In my tenure as a college educator I have seen first hand the positive effect a safe learning environment has on those that may feel isolated in their personal or social lives. Students reach out to us as mentors to help them navigate these challenges and it is our duty to be a steady and trustworthy presence in their personal development. Having come from an economically disadvantaged family and growing up in a culturally diverse environment I am especially sensitive to, and keenly aware, of these issues. Discrimination based on an individual’s beliefs, culture, race, or personal identity has no place in the classroom.
I measure my effectiveness as a teacher by the development and feedback of the students I teach. I see every student as equal in their ability to improve and develop. In my view, the standard by which a student artist is judged is defined by the degree to which the student engages and develops under my instruction. My success or failure is based on this standard.
Jason Stamper 2023