PEDAGOGY

Jessica Burke is currently an Assistant Professor of Drawing (NTT) at Western Oregon University. Below is an excerpt from her teaching philosophy:

My teaching is aimed at students developing core technical and conceptual skills that may be honed and used in a range of media. Learning in a studio environment should be both challenging and supportive. I encourage progressive development through investigation, analysis, and conceptualization. To achieve these objectives, I use problem-based teaching that emphasizes individual innovation and collaborative dialogue as a tool for development.

In the studio, visual and verbal expression work hand-in-hand. I expect students to establish an open dialogue between their own work and the work of their peers. The ability to accept and give constructive criticism enables students to realize how effectively their ideas have been conveyed, and how well they have understood their own goals. The student should know in which direction the work is going and what goal he/she is trying to accomplish technically or conceptually. The ability to articulate oneself and actualize your intentions is at the core of understanding contemporary art practice.

Learning is a continuous ongoing process that is not limited to the studio. I am constantly working to be a better educator, challenging myself in the same way I want my students to be challenged. I believe in maintaining high standards and giving students the confidence to strive to create outstanding work.