Teaching Philosophy Statement

I begin by honoring the insights and concerns of my students, why they are here, what they know and what they’d like to learn. I provide them with a structure to support daring and a willingness to grow and change. I assure them that adventurous and exploratory inquiry is desirable.

They are encouraged to be responsible for their words and imagery, and to contribute to the classroom standards of evaluation during critiques and conferences. They are asked to be thoughtful and reflective in fostering the growing, yet tenuous, expertise of their classmates, which, in turn, contributes to their own growing ability for self-evaluation.

By encouraging their effort to learn (rather than an effort to please), I support the development of their authentic voice and personal style in their move towards freedom.

Paris Almond, Woman's Work, 1989
Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibit
Washington State University