Calling all art explorers! The act of creation shouldn't be limited to professional artists. Artistic expression is for EVERYONE - something you should feel entitled to do, without judgment, your whole life long. Unfortunately, many of us have encountered art teachers who have inadvertently squashed that drive by mostly promoting art-making that emphasizes sameness - a painting/drawing/sculpture that's supposed to look a certain way - rather than emphasizing the sheer joy of materials exploration and free expression, within a framework that teaches artistic concepts. I became an art teacher because I found the number of adults who say "I can't even draw a stick figure" to be profoundly depressing. If this resonates with you - you're in the right place!

In my classes, I aim to nourish the seed of creativity that lies within all children, to promote their spirit of exploration, to let them know that there is no one "right" way to create. I find that asking kids to all create the same exact thing, step-by-step, can lead to a feeling that art-making is about getting a final, polished, frameable "product," which can stifle creativity (and can lead to inner judgment, when comparing their look-alike pieces with those of peers who might have better control over art materials). 

Here's an anecdote that highlights my teaching philosophy: a 4-year-old in my Art Room class announced to me, "I know an artist," and after asking her what she meant, I told her SHE was also an artist, everyone in the class was an artist, and she could keep making art her whole life even if she doesn't end up getting paid to do so as a grown-up - that being an artist is about creating and exploration - her eyes got so big as I talked! Her mom later told me that during the whole week, that 4-year-old was excitedly talking about how she was an artist and could make whatever she wanted. To me, moments like that are everything! 

I want kids to see possibilities when they look at lines or shapes. I want them to notice the different colors in the leaves. I want to embody and promote artistic thinking, which, to me, is about SO much more than just creating a work of art that a parent would be proud to frame. (But, I should add, free exploration can lead to wonderfully frameable results!)

I delight in sharing my love of art with students and expanding their field of vision.  It's so gratifying to see them bring their ideas and efforts to fruition. 

-Who am I?-
I'm a teaching artist (certified art teacher), bookmaker (Center for Book Arts Featured Artist in 1995) and museum educator with a Masters degree in Art Education Pre-K-12 from RISD, and more than twenty years of art teaching experience for grades K-12 in some of New York City's premier museums, libraries, and schools. My life-long love of children's books led me to a BFA in illustration with further study in book arts, and I've been teaching bookmaking to kids and adults for many years. Getting my MAT led to teaching art in an amazing high school, but my passion for museum education ultimately landed me in a dream job teaching family and school programs for kids K-12 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other NYC museums, along with school residencies through some fabulous arts organizations.  I also taught in-person homeschool classes in NYC! Lucky me :) 

-What kinds of classes will I offer on Outschool?-
Look for art-related offerings: museum-inspired art discussions, general art/craft...but with lots of room for creativity; I don't want everyone's project to look the same (unless we are doing a specific blank book format, for example)! Please reach out if you have specific ideas that aren't listed that you'd like to see me offer! 

-Teaching Style-
Enthusiasm is contagious! I love what I do, and it shows. I'll do live demonstrations during art-making lessons, and pride myself on offering clear instructions while making sure all kids are following along.  Even if it's not a straight-up art lesson, you won't find me lecturing - I ask for student participation (though will respect the quiet kids who who choose to watch and absorb rather than jump into the conversation), and strive to engage students with an inquiry-based model. I know from both the teacher and parent sides that all kids learn differently - please, do communicate with me before the class to let me know if there's information you feel is essential to my working with your child most effectively! I'll sometimes follow up classes by posting supplemental materials in the classroom for viewing after class.

-Testimonials/Why study with me?-
Why sign your kid(s) up for my classes? I'll let the words of some parent testimonials from my homeschool and museum classes here in NYC paint a picture of my teaching:
-"[Stephanie is] cheerful, thorough, interested, exciting, involving, engaging, curious, genuine, friendly, captivating, enthusiastic... and to say more I would need my thesaurus."
-"Stephanie is a master teacher who goes to great lengths to bring art to life. The class is controlled, quiet, thoughtful, smart and creative."
-"...And though her classes are always well thought out and organized, the real gem is how passionate she is about the material and how much she cares as a teacher."

-Random fun fact-
I see faces in almost everything!

-Late/Missed Class & Absence Policy-
*Timeliness is very important to the success of the class, especially if it's one where I'm offering step-by-step instructions. I want to maximize our time together, so please make sure your child enters the classroom promptly, with the required supplies at hand! 
*I follow Outschool's limited refund policy, since a missed class is a loss to us both! That policy is: full refund until a week in advance, or within 24 hours of purchase (until class starts). I do not offer refunds for missed classes except in exceptional circumstances. If space permits, I may in some circumstances transfer your learner to a new section, but can't guarantee it. 

-Two General Outschool Policies I Want to Mention-
*Siblings may share a camera. However, each learner must be individually registered for class.
*For the safety of all enrolled students, Outschool requires learners to check in with the teacher via video at the beginning of class. (Policy here: https://support.outschool.com/en/articles/579892-technical-requirements-and-browser-support) I enforce this policy, and will not allow any student who has not visually checked in with me to attend class. If you do not have a functioning webcam to check in with me, you may not attend.

-Want to contact me?-
I'm happy to answer your questions or concerns - please reach out to me if you would like clarification on anything! 

-Thanks for reading! I look forward to meeting your children online!