Matt Jones

           Having grown up in the mountains of Colorado, I have grown to possess a love for the outdoors and all that it offers. It has shaped my philosophy for learning, living, and how I view the world. The location in which a person resides has a truly unique impact on the sort of education they recieve- we are products of our environment. As part of my teaching, I find it essential to create an evironment where stdents feel safe to explore, discover, and engage.  

             I have persistently had a passion for both the arts and education, believing that the arts can serve as a platform for meaningful learning in a multitude of disciplines. I strive to use the skills and knowledge attained through artistic practices and processes, to express the world views and understandings of young learners. 

          The arts serve as an elevated avenue of communication; the ability to use visual imagery and objects as a language to communicate ideas. The ability to expand the ways in which we share ideas and present information is an an empowering skill. I take it upon myself to educate and empower students to seek out what interests and inspires them. To give them the tools to observe, to research, to create, and ultimately discover things about themselves and the world in which they reside.

          I advocate that the arts create and expand a person's world view and I let that notion guide the manner in which I teach and engage students. For in developing a world view, a person defines who they are and how they participate in the world. This presents opportunities for students to grow into engaged and and competent adults.