Artists

This platform assumes we are all artists.

We know that passionate teachers create passionate learning spaces. This is a given and an assumption here = teaching and learning require passion and purpose, and together, passion and purpose create great educators. Some people write books and others discover this by hands-on experience but ultimately everyone arrives at the same conclusion.

We can break this down further and say that an educator is also a craftsperson—a master craftsman of the teaching and learning space. A teacher shapes the classroom, positively influencing and guiding a cohort of learners to ignite their passion and purpose.

An artist’s work embodies the same elements. Without passion and purpose, an artist cannot create. The same holds for teachers, without passion and purpose, they stagnate. A teacher is, fundamentally, an artist.

Teachers are not only skilled in their subject areas—they are artists of their teaching space. They craft a dynamic, engaging environment, not just in the subject matter but in how they create a learning space. How else could one person inspire and encourage a group of learners (children, young adults, adults) often numbed by the overstimulation of their environments, day in and day out? This is a remarkable act of artistry.

The intent is the same in an online space, but it demands heightened verbal connection and communication. Unlike the physical classroom, where a teacher’s passion is infectious by mere presence, online teaching requires more deliberate use of language and an understanding of the psychology of space. The goal remains to craft an engaging learning environment.

Yet, every artist needs fuel—and so does the educator. Without fuel, the engine stops running. Perhaps this is why the creativity in teachers often dries up? How can we remind educators of their creative energy? How can we spark the sharing of ideas that fosters a community of creativity.

This doesn’t mean every educator must paint, sing, or dance—though I encourage all teachers to tap into their childlike wonder and enjoy these creative dimensions. The artistry of teaching lies in the ability to improvise, to move with agility and confidence within the classroom, and to welcome newness and change.

This platform acknowledges the difficulties of being an artist—feeling worn down, weary, or disconnected. This is part of the artist’s plight, where passion as struggle collides with purpose and fulfillment. Here we celebrate the educator as an artist and teaching as an art form.

Welcome to this platform—an ongoing, continuous space where passion and purpose ignite the artist within us all.

Until next time,

Mon x