Elizabeth Hofer

          I prioritize students’ individuality and seeing their unique creativity evolve throughout the year. I want to support these students as much as possible with a variety of accommodations for those who may need it. One example being plastic scissors that only cut paper and cannot cut through hair or damage a person. By providing information and lessons that include a variety of cultures, it has been shown to be key in creating a comfortable environment for every student. These include encouraging students’ opinions and activating their voice, building positive relationships, and using diverse learning materials.

          An important consideration for my teaching would be that I want my students to learn to solve their own problems before asking for help. This helps to increase independence and self-assurance while also introducing discipline. Though, of course, asking for help is always welcome. When creating lessons, I want to provide a gateway into creative thinking and give my students the ability to make their artworks their own while still learning about the objectives. For example, one of my lessons for second grade involved creating scrap wood cities that helped educate them on volume, form, and sculpture.

         Another important consideration for my teaching is assessment. I feel it is important to have a 'Sandwich Compliment’ to give students a more equal opportunity to be praised and to grow from anything that may have not gone as they'd hoped. In this strategy, the first sentence is a compliment about the work, then more of a critique of what could be done better or why they lost points, and lastly an encouragement to keep going upwards. I believe that students of all differences and similarities should feel comfortable, safe, and included in the classroom.