As and artist and educator, I believe in empowering my students and creating a pro-active, collaborative environment. Discipline, commitment, and perseverance are necessary skills for students to develop early on if they have a desire to succeed as fine artist. My classes are interactive, well structured and require good working habits. I also allow room for the process of individual and group discovery and experimentation.

In the undergraduate environment, beginning classes stress strong foundations and personal solutions to formal problems. Weekly guided assignments develop primary skills and procedures and develop personal technique. The emphasis is on the expressive use of media. The critique is also a valuable forum in which students learn to give and receive valuable constructive criticism and articulate their work. During critiques, students learn to objectively analyze works of art, evaluate technique, craft and the construction of the image and finally, ask questions which lead to further production. I also include the history of photography, art history and contemporary art and culture in all classes.

My background working in multi-disciplinary environments has informed my teaching style. It is necessary for students to use the concept of the work as the driving force that dictates which media to use. I encourage integrating new technologies, informed by a healthy relationship to art history, and a savvy awareness of contemporary art and culture. I also challenge my students to break out of conventional boundaries that may be limiting, but not before acquiring technical proficiency at an expected skill level. This means having a solid fine arts foundation and through understanding of the history and capabilities of their chosen media. It is also important to maintain a delicate balance of firm convictions with a real questioning of the content, motivations and desire behind the work. This questioning of style, motives and methods takes place during the intermediate and advanced classes. It is my goal, that students make-work from direct, lived experiences from their daily life and culture. Authenticity and individuality are qualities I strive for my students to acquire.

In the graduate setting, individual student research interests drive studio production in a conceptually driven, interdisciplinary environment. My role as instructor is that of facilitator, mentor and ambassador of contemporary art and culture, theory and art history where I am part critic, lecturer, technical advisor, and consultant.

I also believe in mentoring and sharing my skills on artist survival to help prepare students for success after school. It is also my goal to demystify exhibition and self-promotion process, and give students the tools necessary to articulate, promote and represent themselves responsibly as artists. This includes giving workshops and assignments geared towards finding alternative and curated exhibitions, residencies and internships. This also includes the development of a visiting artists/critics lecture series each semester as well as field trips to major exhibitions and art fairs throughout the year.