2021 Second Place Scholarship Winner Ohio Art Education Foundation Katrina Shafor Miami University

Enjoy this excerpt from Katrina’s philosophy statement:

“As an artist and art educator, I want to create a diverse and accepting environment where students are able to create freely, helping them connect with their inner creatives and find confidence in their abilities. In the stages of development students go through, it’s important that they are feeling supported and valued. Especially when on a journey to finding themselves, it’s crucial that they feel they matter and are respected. Having a strong sense of community within the classroom is a great way to practice respecting others and appreciating what people are brave enough to share. As a teacher, I will guide my students through their art journey, allowing them to explore  who they are, and be proud of their individuality. We are all unique in our own ways, and a great way to explore that is through art. Art can help you realize so many different things about yourself and can be a great tool for learners. Art is a great way to show self-expression and should not just be limited to only being in the art room. Art can help people process information and make deeper connections with content, helping them understand concepts better.”