Andrew Lark
Mississippi Teacher of the Year
Starkville High School, Starkville, MS
Grades 9-12, Art, Photography, Graphic Design

My teaching philosophy
My personal feeling and belief about teaching is that every student can learn, and every student is an artist. It is my job as an art educator to unlock and expose students to all forms of art and give them a clear understanding of why art is important. Students often ask why we study art. I respond by saying that art is worth studying simply because of what art is. The visual arts impact on our lives cannot be denied. Historically the arts have served to connect our imaginations with the deepest questions of the human existence such as "Who am I? What must I do? Where am I going?" Art is used to achieve a multitude of human purposes. It is used to present issues and ideals. It is also used to entertain, decorate, or please. Becoming literate in art helps students understand and heighten their creativity levels. Our personal, social, economic, and cultural environments are shaped by art. We are faced with art, in every turn and in every corner. The arts are integrated into everyone's daily life. Art cannot be overlooked. I agree completely with the statement, "If you removed all the art in the lives of our children... there is no way that adding more mathematics, increasing more reading programs, requiring more science, mandating more tests, or scheduling more computer courses could replace what they would have lost." I am so passionate about my teaching because art is just as vital to the educational system as every other academic discipline.

I asked my students what they perceive as quality. Quality is a key value in life. Through my classes, I teach the concept of quality. They must learn this so that they can produce quality pieces of art. Because I expect excellence from my students, I have learned that preparation is what it takes to be a great teacher. Being prepared everyday and challenging my students has brought about extraordinary results. To become a great teacher, one has to be a life-long learner. My student and I have to challenge ourselves far beyond what is expected. I give my students a sense of what they can achieve. All things are possible in my classroom with the right materials and commitment. Because every student is different, I have to monitor individual student artistic growth. This is why I relate so well to special education teachers. I have to teach students as though I have an individual education plan for each of them. Although this is challenging, the results that the students achieve are well worth the effort. This is very gratifying to me as well.

Furthermore, I teach students how important it is to concentrate. They must stay focused to better their artistic skills, and to be more self-expressive in their creative thought patterns. Through experience, I have learned that students approach budding works of art as projects. However, I teach my students to identify who they are in the personal works of art. I mention to them that, when Rembraint, Rubin, Renoir, Tanner, and Charles White created works of art, they did not approach it as if it were a project. When my students do approach any form of art as a work of art, they pour their hearts and their minds into what they are creating. One of the strongest lessons I have learned as a teacher is that when students realize the importance of art, time is not a dominant factor. In my class, students can really be themselves, but still they are in a learning environment. Students know that being on task is extremely important to me, because students have to come in and know where they are, what they are doing, and what is expected of them, not only from me but also from themselves. There is no time for nonsense because I respect my students as artists.

My philosophy in action
I interact with many teachers from across the nation. I ask them about self-development and the national standards for art. Through these contacts, I have learned about their personal teaching methods, and what is best for the students. I want to know this information because it gives me a national perspective to strive beyond. These professional dialogs develop way of how I can challenge my students even more. Communicating with other true artists and art teachers can only bring about excellence within my practices and students.

Group critique is very critical. I focus on being a facilitator rather than a critic, which happens twice a week. Sometimes I allow students to select certain works of art that they are creating to discuss. I do not discuss the works of every student everytime. I try to minimize the students' warm and cool feedback time during the group critique session. I make sure that every student is involved during the critique process. During a critiquing secession, I have the critquiting speaker direct their comments to the class and not to the artist. The student learns his/her strengths and weaknesses. Everyday, I speak with all of my students and ask them how they feel about the work of art they are producing. I also ask them in what way I can help them to bring the best out of themselves; so that it will be reflected in the work of art they are creating. I help instill growth from all students. Working one on one with every student daily allows me to have a personal relationship with them not just as an art teacher but also as someone who cares about their personal lives in and outside of school.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
I have created an after school program called The Visual Art Program for Children. This program has been in existence since 1997 and is still present today. I created this program because, when I was a child, my parents could not afford to give me private art lessons. I learned through the community that there was a large population of creative students that just could not afford private art lessons. For me, this only came about through the public school system. My school district hired professional artist to teach art in the public schools. These teachers would allow me to work long hours after school which allowed me to master many artistic disciplines. They did not receive any extra pay, but they gave their hearts. As I reflect on my time as a student, I find myself now giving in the same way. Even after school, I find myself still having a hunger or desire to teach. I understand those who are in need, have a desire, or an artistic gift. With God's help, art companies and manufactures have donated $1.75 million dollars in supplies and equipment to Starkville High School's visual art and after school programs. The school district could not afford to fund these programs.

This program is for grades 6-12 who are in art or have a desire to create works of art. It gives me the opportunity to teach an even younger group of students about art, as well as the enjoyment and fulfillment achieved from art. Students are allowed to come to the Renaissance House on Starkville High School’s campus after school, Monday through Friday. During school holidays, weekends and summer breaks, high school students have been known to work for 24 hours straight on works of art. The students learn the elements and principles of design, which is the foundation for the state's objectives. Students are exposed to a variety of art such as product design, advance art and paint, jewelry, and photography. They also learn about a variety of artists. The Visual Arts Program has allowed these students to create high quality portfolios, which attracts some of the most prestigious art schools across the nation. I’ve brought in professional artists and representatives from art colleges to speak with my students. Many of my students have received full scholarships to various outstanding art programs in the country. Furthermore, the State and National Scholastic Art program is a vital part of my school and after school program. My students have won over 309 State Scholastic Art awards and 16 National Scholastic Art awards during my six years as an art instructor. Under my guidance, they have won a variety of other awards as well.

The most critical issue facing educators today The most critical issue facing educators today is the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. This act has its emphasis on math, reading and science. Because of the act:
	School districts will spend their federal dollars in the way they see fit in order to meet the needs of their students
	Teachers will be required to use scientifically proven methods to teach. I use Teaching for Understanding, which has been proven to work in a variety of studies.
	Teacher quality will be improved with the use of training and recruitment. This will help teachers to improve their teaching methods so that all students will be able to perform equally on any test.
	Parents will have a greater say as to which public school their child attends. If their child’s present public school is not performing, then they have the right to transfer their child to a public or charter school that's performing.
	Tutorial programs will be offered for students. These programs will help fill in the gap of what the students knows and what they should know.
	Teachers will be held accountable for the performance of their students. Within 10 years, all students must be performing at proficient levels.

Ways to resolve this issue
Although many problems have cropped up with the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, we must look at the NCLB Act as a chance to improve student achievement. If all stakeholders focus on making this vision a reality, then the shortcomings of this act will not matter. It has be scientifically proven that this act could work if schools adhere to the academic framework, fund it adequately, restructure low performing schools, use time-tested research to teach students and provide technical assistance. We all must give this act time to work so that no child will be left behind.

One thought to inspire other teachers to succeed
Being an effective educator is essential to teaching. I feel that as instructors, teachers need to educate the whole child. Students learn in many different ways, and we need to educate every child to the fullest extent possible. Teachers can do this by setting high goals and expectations for all students. If we set high standards, students will meet and surpass the standards and become better individuals and feel better about themselves overall.

As an educator, you have the opportunity to affect the future by impacting students. You have the unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. This difference may be big or small, positive or negative. This difference could change the course of their lives. How many other professionals have the opportunity to make and influence future generations? It is our job to prepare students for the real world by shaping their minds and teaching them responsibility.

I would like to challenge my fellow educators to move to another level in their profession. This will not only affect them, but the students and staff will also receive the benefits. Due to objectives, national and state tests, sometimes we forget the focus of our profession. We must continue to impart to the students our knowledge and challenge them to pursue excellence. We must never lose site of our focus, which is excellence.

My feelings are based on the biblical quote,"Get wisdom, get knowledge, but most of all get understanding." As a teacher, I am committed to helping students get an understanding of what is being taught.

One lesson every student should learn
The lesson that every student should learn is to strive to be a life-long learner. Knowledge must be pursued, passed on, acted out and ultimately obtained by all students. Seek from your teachers all the information that they have and make it apart of your DNA. Select teachers who have incorporated problem solving, critical thinking, giving from the heart and sacrificing.

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