Teaching Art & Poetry

My Philosophy on Teaching Art and Poetry

by: Melida Rodas

"I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit." - JOHN STEINBECK

ART and Poetry teach us the history of man, his beliefs and his aspirations. 

ART and Poetry engage us in the politics of the world and allow us to have our say through self expression.

ART involves us in mathematics and chemistry when we measure, mix and explore the elements.

ART engages us in modern science, technology and engineering as the tools we use for creating are constantly evolving and being reinvented. We explore these realms as inventors ourselves through design and ingenuity.

ART surpasses any language in its capacity to be universal.

Art transcends into all fields of study. It enhances our way of thinking as it is analytical and philosophical. Its value surpasses pure aesthetics.

Art and Poetry's contribution to mankind is its ability to help us view our world differently. It enables us to explore our own identity and culture but it also enables us to find a common ground with others. Essentially they allow us to feel compassion and kindness towards the world in general.

History proves to us that when one strips a civilization of its art and books it inevitably leads to its decline. 

ART and POETRY are OUR LEGACY to future generations.

You see...

I may be able to teach a child the principals of design as I may be able to teach a student the difference between a Sonnet and a Haiku, but that would not satisfy my purpose.

Art and Poetry are so much more than that. Teaching is so much more than that.

I believe that Art and Poetry are just as important as any other field of study.

Because they are:

Voice,

A valuable tool for survival,

A key element in exploring the world around us

A vehicle for change

by: Melida Rodas