My Teaching Philosophy

 As an art educator, I am dedicated to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where students can develop their artistic skills and explore their creativity. I believe in a student-centered approach to teaching, where I tailor instruction to meet individual student needs, encourage them to explore their unique artistic interests, and actively bring students together as a community. 

When I examine an artwork, I am fascinated by its creation process, and I strive to understand it. In my practice, for the artist I love, I’m eager and craven to learn them as a person to learn from close study their artwork and research their artwork, which helps me encourage students to explore traditional art techniques and discover their artistic interests. I believe this foundation of skills are crucial for their growth and the skills they develop to enhance their personal artistic voice.

Ultimately, my goal as an educator is to empower students to become confident and expressive artists equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue their creative passions beyond the classroom. By instilling a love for art and an appreciation for its rich history and cultural significance, I aim to inspire a new generation of artists who can contribute their unique perspectives and creativity to the world.

 As an educator, I recognize that diversity and inclusion are essential components of academic excellence. My experiences as a non-native English speaker have given me a unique perspective on diversity, which I believe will enable me to make meaningful contributions to the campus community.

Before I started my early studies in the United States for high school, I was a 16-year-old boy living in a bubble of a single race and the Chinese language. It was my experience in American high school that shaped my life and perspective on diversity. I experienced firsthand what it means for an English second language student to learn different cultures and handle a course with English. There were times when I felt isolated as the only Asian student in a school that was predominantly attended by white students and it was my teacher who created an atmosphere of accommodation. This experience has helped me to appreciate the importance of creating a supportive environment that recognizes and celebrates diversity.

I believe that a diverse and inclusive learning environment is critical to fostering academic and personal growth among students. As a faculty member, I will strive to create an environment that promotes open communication, encourages diversity of thought, and embraces cultural differences. I will work to ensure that all students feel valued and supported, regardless of their background or identity.

In my teaching, research, and service, I actively seek out opportunities to engage with and learn from individuals with diverse experiences and perspectives. I am committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of my work, and I look forward to contributing to a campus community that shares these values.

 I'm glad to be a TA in this class. The class is very energetic and the students are very involved. I'm happy to see their success.

My job for the class involves creating the syllabus, taking attendance, demonstrating ink drawing and printmaking techniques for the students, and conducting individual/group critiques. Due to my age and the common mindset of Zoomers, I'm there to help students with ADHD and extreme introversion not just as a TA, but as their friend and emotional support.

During the most stressful times, such as midterms and finals, I am volunteered to conduct afterschool sessions with the students who may fail the course. I offer them advice on painting techniques and help them not only to pass but also to get a higher grade.

 I am honored to be Dr. Sonja Kelly's teaching assistant for the course "Art of Japan."

My job is to keep track of each student's attendance, homework records, and in-class test scores. Additionally, I had the opportunity to give a lecture on my favorite subject, Japanese anime and manga.

 I recognize that equal rights and respect for different values are important for students' development. 

Therefore, I gave an introduction to LGBTQIA2S+ subjects in Japanese manga and anime to the students.

We shared our thoughts and impressions on the subjects and discussed current trending social movements in Japanese anime. (Please find attached my presentation)