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How best to educate children has become one of the most debated issues of our time. As new programs and learning methods strive for acceptance and test results become the barometer for success, teachers face new challenges establishing a classroom environment that encourages creative and imaginative thinking. The importance of art in the curriculum has never been greater. The art classroom is a place where children are given the opportunity to explore and develop their personal dreams and goals and to think independently.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at the School of Visual Arts provides a "hands-on" learning environment where student teachers can research and explore educational issues and topics as well as develop their ideas and continue with their own artwork. The thesis project enables MAT students to explore topics of personal importance through literature review and conducting "action-based-research" in real life classroom settings. The process of completing a thesis provides them with the framework for future inquiry and professional accomplihment.
Community involvement is a vital component of a well-rounded teacher's education. The curriculum requirements include student teaching in diverse New York City public school sites, and experience in SVA's community-based children's programs. These programs include a course held at a shelter for homeless mothers with young children, as well as Saturday and summer Art for Kids programs. MAT students can also choose to participate in the Art Education Department's collaborative projects for children with such organizations as CityArts, Inc.
We believe that to teach art, you should first be an artist who can use the power of art to open the minds, as well as the eyes, of the young to new experiences and individual fulfillment. One person-a gifted and caring teacher-can still make a difference in a young person's life. Our program is for artists who want to become teachers and make that difference.
Rose Viggiano, chair
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Miller
2005
Art Education
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I am originally from Snohomish Washington and first attended the School of Visual Arts from 1990-1994, receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Cartooning. Following this, from 1994 to 2002, I studied with the late Jack Potter, whose charismatic teaching opened me up to seeing the world through the eyes of an artist and also encouraged me to feel confident in expressing the uniqueness of my personal artistic vision. Then in 2003, inspired by the impact that instructors such as Jack Potter had on my development, I decided to change gears slightly, and went to get my Master’s Degree in Art Education. This was a particularly special experience for me because the faculty and the students in this department really functioned like a tight knit family spurning one another forward. It was an intense experience that helped me to appreciate the value of really thinking things through in an effort to engage others to exercise their creativity in a manner that is easily comprehensible to them. Now, several years out of the program, I am happily juggling a busy schedule of working as a Museum Educator/ Teaching Artist, and am slugging away at making my own artwork as well and feel quite content.
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Filan
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I am extremely proud to be part of Master of Arts in Teaching Program at the School of Visual Arts, and I am also proud to be an artist and educator.
Each year I watch our MAT graduates face down the task of putting everything they have learned in our one-year program into practice as educators. They will be sharing their creative skills and love for art with children they teach. They will have the awesome task of creating an environment where children can create, explore and build self-esteem.
It is exciting to work within the community of artist and educators that make up SVA.
Website
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