I’ve been an art educator for six years, and the most important lesson I have had to learn is that every child is unique in how they see, hear, interpret, understand, and create. My students range in age from 7-18 and their interests and abilities are as variable as their ages. All students work at a pace that suits them best, so I do not teach to a group, but rather to an individual. I attribute my success, and the success of my students, to my ability in the classroom to adapt to and be flexible for each of them individually.
As an artist myself, I must regularly practice my craft in order to make creative and technical connections in my own work and in the classroom. I take classes and experiment with new artistic processes in order to continue educating myself. I share my new learning experiences with my students to encourage them to try new things and to always be willing to learn new concepts. I have found through my personal practice and
Kate Stewart – The Accomplices…
education that problem solving in my own creative process helps me problem solve when it comes to my students’ work; and likewise, when they find a problem solution in their creations, it provides me insight for issues I may be experiencing in my own art.
The constant shift between my own painting and my time in the classroom has made me stronger both as an artist and a teacher, and I consider myself to be extraordinarily fortunate to be both a practicing artist and an art educator – two activities I love and hope to continue doing for a very long time.
One of the many murals my students have done for the community. The theme of this one is Celebrating Diversity and was donated to a local nonprofit called Project 658. We have also done murals for Levine Children’s Hospital, Charlotte Lab School, and the Dilworth Artisan Station
A mural which is a collaboration between my teen students and I which spans the 20 empty windows on the façade of the Dilworth Artisan Station. My students and I competed against professional artists for the winning design and our work will be featured on the building for 1 year
Showing one of the many opportunities I offer to my students who are interested in figure drawing. Several times a year we bring in a live model for them to learn from
One of my students at work during a portrait workshop.
Showing how many of my students learn new techniques in the classroom by drawing from life.
Celebrating Art 