KitJosephArt
Teaching and Mentoring
Sloane Berg, SCAD Sequential Arts BFA
Teaching Philosophy
I have been a teacher for almost 10 years and it has been a journey of my own personal growth as much as it has been for my students. The tenets of teaching for me can be distilled to empathy, environment, collaboration and fun.
Empathy to me goes without saying but I should mention it first as it is related to all of my other tenets. Understanding and connecting with students is vital as the relationship between the material and them is bridged by the teacher so they need to trust that source. In the classroom I try to bring a sense of calm and understanding to my interactions and as much as possible, cater to the needs of the students be it emotional, educational or developmental.
That sense of calmness is also related to the environment for learning. I may not always be able to influence the physical environment but like a plant or flower, a rich nurturing environment is key for growth and where possible, I facilitate that. Part of that environment is people and encouraging students to learn and share with each other is vital as well. Some of my learning experiences came from forming bonds with my own cohort at grad school and I remember it was facilitated through critiques and the positive and encouraging environment created by the instructor.
Everyone in the space is integral to a positive learning outcome. As an instructor, helping others to and encouraging collaboration is very important to me. Not only is it empowering to be a part of something bigger than yourself, it's important to know that and I think the classroom is a perfect place to prepare students, especially creative students for a future of healthy and challenging collaboration. This can take the form of group projects but also critiques.
I take this vocation very seriously and I remember being grateful to my teachers from a very young age but that is not to say that play does not factor in. Conversely, play is serious. At a higher level, education is more of a deliberate choice and I think being able to enjoy it would yield more than feeling obligated and stressed by it. Using games can encourage healthy competition but also collaboration, critical thinking and of course enjoyment which can make the learning experience more enjoyable and memorable.
Kit Joseph is an incredible teacher and mentor. My work ethic has gotten so much better after I became his mentee. And my art has improved by leaps and bounds as well, so much quicker and better than it would have if Kit was not my mentor. He showed me new and better ways to use photoshop, helped me so much with linework, perspective, color, mood, just about everything under the sun. I’ve become more organized and I feel like my communication is starting to get better as well. His steady presence and calm demeanor is always welcomed and appreciated, especially with how hectic and stressful SCAD is. Kit is also incredibly easy to get along with, is funny, and well connected. Everywhere we go someone always knows him and they’re always happy to see him as well.
Kit is also incredibly well informed and his art is incredible. I especially love how he uses line weight in his pieces and watching him work has always been incredibly cool. I’ve never seen someone use line weight the way he does, others will mostly use it in lines of importance and perspective, but Kit uses it for lights and shadows and I think that makes his pieces wonderfully balanced and fun to look at. I really adore his unique style and color use as well. Kit is also incredibly well spoken and listening to his thesis presentation was fantastic. He spoke so confidently and his anecdotes were both topical and funny. Kit is just an overall amazing person. Anyone would be blessed to have him around and I’m extremely grateful that he became my mentor
Ashley Robles, SCAD Illustration BFA
Student Examples
...thank you on behalf of all the students who saw the art room not just as another class, but a positive place to de-stress whether in groups or alone. You made the art room comfortable and welcoming.
Thank you for being understanding and kind enough to have simple yet meaningful conversations with me. I never took them for granted.
Daniella Elie, El Dorado East Secondary School
Kit has been more than just a great friend—he has been a true mentor and a constant source of support. He introduced me to so many activities across campus, always encouraging me to engage and explore new experiences. Beyond that, he has been incredibly helpful when it comes to important reviews, meetings, or even just organizing my thoughts before big moments.
Kit’s guidance has been invaluable to me. Whether it's his past experience as a teacher or simply his kind and thoughtful nature, he has a way of offering advice that is both insightful and practical. From choosing classes to planning my thesis, he has always provided me with a clear and thoughtful direction. I am grateful to have him as a friend and mentor, and I truly appreciate the impact he has had on my journey.
Pal Jhaveri, SCAD Illustration MFA
Your time, energy, and effort in this job aspect are commendable. I appreciate your dedication! Your role and progress are not just important, but integral to our mentoring process. Your contributions are highly valued.
Amy Lerner-Maddox, SCAD Mentor Program Manager