Aspirations to be an Art Teacher
           

The rhythm, harmony and theme of a piece of art not only influence our hearts but also our minds. Our reaction to art is of admiration and wonder and this reaction gauges our emotional responses towards life.  I feel blessed to be a part of the community that creates new visions for both human society and for human spirituality. I also feel privileged to be in the process of becoming an art teacher; art teachers shoulder the responsibility of facilitating the appreciation of art and refining and propagating the talents of new artists.

I have always loved teaching and although I have occasionally taught language, and I worked in a school quite some time back, I have never had a chance to be a full-time teacher. But the universe works in wonderful ways and the second job that I was hired for in Chicago was a project for the Chicago Board of Education. I worked both as a writer and an artist for the resource guide of the Chicago Board of Education on South Asia. My interest in teaching and my desire to be a part of a system that facilitates the understanding of Art increased. This desire led me to the path that I am following now with pleasure and pride.

My experience working with young people, both as a language teacher abroad and as a teacher assistant under the Program ‘America Reads,’ conducted by Financial Aid office of UIC, has provided me skills that can help me in my teaching. Moreover, the Art Education Program at UIC offers comprehensive education courses, which will enable me to refine my teaching techniques and provide me with the background to be a successful art teacher who can convey the tools of art making in a variety of mediums. While earning my Bachelors in Fine Arts abroad and during the course of my certification here, I have been exposed to all genres of art, including sculpture, printing, painting, and photography. My concentration in my previous degree was painting and my concentration in my certification is photography. I feel that I am equipped with a wide variety of tools to teach different genres of art.

Human life progresses through change.  Change is brought by understanding.  Individuals achieve this understanding by absorbing reflections from their surroundings.  Artists, whether they are writers, performers or painters, participate a great deal in creating these reflections on which future minds create their new understanding; the understanding that we hope will be devoid of superstitions and prejudices. To create these future minds is my vision. I may be a speck in this process but I feel proud to be one.

Imran Omer