Some see the arts as a non-essential subject in the public school system. Not everyone however understands the benefits the arts can give our children and our communities. The arts allow students to create, express, and connect with others. In the art classroom there is an opportunity to build community among the students. This leads to developing skills such as collaboration, problem solving, and perseverance. I believe that an art teacher should create an inclusive classroom by building relationships with his or her students, having equitable standards, and by having a multicultural curriculum.

          While I am teaching I want to create a positive environment where students feel empowered and encouraged to do their best. By allowing students to speak their minds and contribute to classroom decisions, this develops confidence and makes an inclusive classroom. I plan to build relationships with every one of my students so they feel comfortable around me and in the classroom. Getting to know my students lets me understand student behaviors based on personalities and backgrounds. By building relationships with my students I can design an equitable learning environment meeting individual needs. It is important that the students do not just feel apart of the classroom but also the curriculum. Art can be an inclusive education subject. When art education is not focusing on the past but is about contemporary and community art, it gives students a more diverse perspective into the art world. This invites more students to make personal connections to what they are learning.

          As a preschool teacher I have been able to apply and develop a simple teaching philosophy. Over the years I have made an effort to make personal connections with all of my students. By having that relationship my students were eager to learn and were confident to participate in any new subjects being taught. Students with behavioral issues became more engaged in my classroom because they felt supported instead of only hearing negative feedback. I have observed that each student learns differently and brings various experiences to the classroom. By knowing my preschool students backgrounds I could create high but also fair expectations for the individual, and also utilize their backgrounds in the classroom. Though I have not created my own art education curriculum I made diverse lesson plans in my Art Education courses. I plan in the future to apply lessons about local and community art to make all students feel apart of the curriculum. The art classroom should be inclusive to all students by meeting their needs and empowering them.