Teaching Philosophy

Teaching and learning go hand in hand. One can’t happen without the other to be successful. Whenever I teach, I usually have to learn something new to teach it. Whenever I teach, I always learn something from the students. Teaching isn’t the hard part, it’s getting students to trust you, and to communicate with you and the other classmates so the real discussion, and learning occurs.

I’ve taught almost as many years as I’ve spent learning, but don’t feel that teaching and learning ever ceases for someone who values education. I’ve spent my life trying to absorb as much information as I possibly can. Education is power. Power that no one can take away, or diminish. The more intelligent I become, the better life is.

Art, where do I start? My love of art runs as deep as my love of learning. I have been an art junkie since my mom started writing a letter of the alphabet on note paper in church, and told me to make something out of it? That was always my favorite part of church. That, and the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn afterwards. I think I drew objects out of most of the alphabet, every Sunday.

By taking classes to earn a double major, fine art and commercial art, I realized how much drawing, painting, and the foundations of art and design were the backbone of a good designer. The best designers can illustrate, ideate and create in both areas, and they intertwine their skills. The fine artist needs digital skills to put their work on the internet and showcase, communicate, and sell it to the public and/or galleries. The designer needs to have the imagination to visualize the best technique for each digital campaign, and the skills to carry it out. The designer needs to be able to show their work on the internet, gain clients, and communicate and work via the internet with individuals and clients. They both need to know how to use, and increase worldwide exposure to the client through social media.

When I graduated from college we had received the first Apple computers with 8 fonts. I learned commercial art (graphic design) and fine art using my hands and tools to create design and art. After college I decided I wanted to teach k12 art and went on to get my master’s because I loved learning. I subbed for a year after graduation, but got discouraged with no art teacher positions opening up, and landed a job building a monthly, four-color magazine for 5 years. At the end of the 5 years, I applied at Grand View for the position that my past academic advisor had, and was hired.

I believe it was those eleven years teaching and working with students and other faculty that really taught me though. I loved my job, and truly enjoyed teaching graphic design. I’m a people person and enjoy anything art or technology-related. Artists are problem-solvers by nature, and that’s how my brain works. I like to figure everything out, and even enjoy solving technical issues on the computer. I enjoy teaching design and software to others. When a student is proficient-to-expert level in a software program they have more time to devote to their ideas, creativity, and content. They also usually design better than the designer that knows just the basics. It shows in the student’s work, and their confidence level.

I have attended community college, two private colleges, and a land grant institution. I have been in classes with people of all types of personalities and learning styles. Receiving my doctorate completely changed the way I taught. As graduate students we taught each other. We presented, and we presented, and we presented. I spent six years writing, communicating, educating and being educated, with some of the brightest minds and leaders in education at Iowa State. It was hard, it was exciting, it was humbling, it was invaluable.

I thought when I started my own business I was done teaching? Not so. I use my teaching experience to educate clients about the process, the aftercare, and the risks and benefits of permanent makeup, and eyelash extensions. I thought I knew everything about color because I learned color on paper, color in different mediums, color on screen (RGB), and color in printing (CMYK). I didn’t even think about color or ink mixing in a person’s skin tone. Just when you think you may know it all about something. You learn you don’t.

Diversity Statement

All students should be treated fairly, equally, and with care, and compassion. Regardless their ethnicity, sex, sexual identity, or physical or mental disability. Each student is unique, and brings a different life experience, perspective, knowledge, and skills to the classroom. It is up to the educator to try to bring out the best in their students and to create a positive, welcoming classroom environment where students learn easily and freely, and enjoy doing so. Respect and communication among both students and professor is essential for a successful teaching and learning environment.