As an art educator, I hold a strong belief in art as a form of communication and way of thinking. Because of this, art is an avenue to both a connection with others and self-discovery. It is these two paths that I aim to tread through work in art education. I wish to work with students’ current position and interests in mind. I see teaching as a two way street. I look to learn just as much from students and peers as they do me. Learning to negotiate with materials, when done in a reflective manner, leads to not only an understanding of the materials and how to use them, but also an understanding of one’s own inclinations and habits.
In the end, I am motivated by the effect art can have on people in its broadest sense; for its ability to promote the growth of the individual, facilitate and expose divergent ways of thinking, as well as direct the way people interact with the world around them toward one of understanding and compassion.
Cincinnati Public Schools
Ryan E. Kerr 