As an artist, you're always searching for freedom and never finding it... Art could be called ‘The Search.’ -Alice Neel A progressive philosophy of teaching in which students actively engage in learning with the freedom to make independent choices is best for a memorable learning experience that will be meaningful to the student’s life in the long run. While the teacher acts as a guide, providing access to concrete standards and skills, students actively explore the content. A teacher introduces tools and knowledge, students utilize these tools to explore and create new things. With art, or any discipline, basic principles should be introduced and then built on and explored. As a teacher, I strive to create an environment that encourages both structured and explorative learning. I want to keep instruction simple and structured in order to establish a safe place for students to search for and explore their own interests. I believe the best way to do this is by keeping students involved, providing an orderly environment, and encouraging curiosity. Student involvement is a key component in encouraging exploration. When students support each other and are free to collaborate, learning becomes more centered on students and what motivates them to learn. Encouraging a community can establish an identity for students making them more active in their role as learners and more interested in the learning content. Checking in individually with students is also equally important for encouraging involvement. It is important for students to see growth as well as develop individual interests in the subject matter. Part of developing individual interest includes allowing for students to have creative license over their projects. With the ability to make choices about what they create, involvement and self-motivation will be encouraged. An organized, clean, and structured environment is equally important for learning. Structure includes establishing clear learning goals and objectives so that students understand what they are expected to be able to do. For example, drawing principles such as proportions or value should be clearly introduced and taught. Students should be aware of the specific principles they are learning. Affective classroom structure also includes setting up routines to keep the classroom clean and orderly. When there is a set routine and order to a classroom, students can feel comfortable and safe in it to explore and create. As a teacher, I want to encourage an atmosphere of exploration and curiosity. I believe creativity and learning takes place in a relaxed environment in which enthusiasm for the subject is apparent. Appropriate materials should be supplied. Examples of student work should be displayed and other artists’ work should be available to students for inspiration. I want to provide enough inspiration and examples so that students will have an understanding of the subject matter and connect it to their own interests. It is when students have a personal connection to their art education that learning is most memorable.