2008 Teaching Initiative Award Winner

Judith Briggs, Ph.D.

Ph.D. in Art Education from The Pennsylvania State University (2002)
Assistant Professor of Art Education, School of Art.

Teaching philosophy

I strongly believe that learning does not take place in a vacuum; it requires an interaction between people, experiences, and ideas.

Three most important attitudes that I bring to my teaching practice

Everyone has a voice and it should be heard. What can I do to make the world a better place? We are all in this together.

Most rewarding aspect of teaching

When a student realizes his or her strengths and feels empowered to act on them.

Least favorite part of teaching

Assessment according to rigid standards that have been imposed from without initial dialogue or input. I feel that teaching is fluid and open to possibilities, rather than narrowed to restrictions.

I want to improve my teaching by

Becoming more involved both as a student and a practitioner of urban education.

I am proudest about

Work that I have done on all levels to enable students with cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges succeed within the art education classroom.

One strategy that I would recommend to my colleagues:

To teach with empathy and compassion. I sometimes learn more from my students than they learn from me. Everyone has a story to tell, and dialogue is invaluable in the art education classroom.

photo of Judith Briggs, Ph.D. — “The three most valuable or important attitudes that I bring to my teaching practice are: ‘Everyone has a voice and it should be heard,’ ‘What can I do to make the world a better place,’ and ‘We are all in this together.’”