Hello, I'm Kalla.
I am a graduate student at George Mason University, located in Fairfax, Virginia.
I am a graphic designer and art educator dedicated to showing care and making meaningful contributions in my community through the arts.
Contact
Socials
Artist Portfolio
Welcome to my portfolio! Here, you will find a curated collection of my projects—both studio and design work. This portfolio reflects my strengths and interests in art, and speaks to my continuously evolving practice as an artist.
Nature & Perception
Photography
TV Broadcast Package
Bon Appetit Magazine
Drawing & Painting
Nibblins Identity Manual
Ceramics
Printmaking
Motion Design
Foundry Brewery
Teaching Portfolio
Welcome to my teaching portfolio! Here, you'll find a curated collection of my experiences, insights, and accomplishments as an educator. This portfolio serves as a window into my teaching philosophy, instructional practices, and ongoing professional development journey.
My Teaching Philosophy
An intrinsic desire to learn; an inherent trait I have carried with me my entire life. My passion for education stems from this defining trait. I am persistent, dedicated, and passionate about developing my practice as an artist and as an educator. My teaching philosophy is grounded in community, contemporary art, and creative technologies.
I have a passion for community-based collaborative projects and initiatives that encourage personal growth through the arts. One particularly memorable instance was my involvement in co-teaching a community arts class spanning eight weeks, catering to 16 individuals aged 12 to 18 from the local community. I helped facilitate the collaborative student effort to create an 8ft-by-8ft mixed media diptych. The feedback from our students, as indicated by their pre/post-surveys, underscored the significance of this experience; many found it profoundly transformative, expanding their perspectives on the potential of art and the identity of artists. Reflecting on this experience, I am inspired to continue pursuing similar initiatives that use art to bring people together, build community, and facilitate personal development—both in my students and in myself.
I prioritize inclusion by promoting contemporary artists with diverse perspectives. My teaching philosophy revolves around respecting my students as unique individuals, each navigating their own unique experiences. It's crucial to me that students have exposure to contemporary artists they can relate to. Multidisciplinary artists I have featured are El Anatsui, Kara Walker, Saif Senussi Azzuz, Wendy Red Star, Abdulrahman “Abi” Naanseh, Yang Hua Chun, Chris Torres, and many others.
I am an advocate for the implementation of creative technologies in the art classroom. This is a fundamental aspect of my own artistic background as a graphic designer, and a passion I enjoy sharing with my students. Technology in the classroom presents many challenges, however a flawed approach is one that ignores its significance in student’s lives. By promoting the use of technology for its creative potential, I create an environment that allows for the exploration of new media. Reframing everyday devices, such as cell phones or computers, as tools for creative expression has the potential to change the relationship that students have with the technology around them.
My teaching philosophy is ultimately rooted in a responsive approach to addressing the needs of our diverse student population—helping them navigate the world as it is today and finding support from the communities in which they live.
In my classroom, I prioritize creating an environment where every student feels welcome, engaged, and supported. Central to this philosophy is my carefully crafted classroom management strategy, which I have developed through practice and reflection.
As part of my overarching approach to classroom management, I embrace open-ended assignments. By offering tasks that allow for multiple approaches and outcomes, I encourage students to think innovatively and take ownership of their learning. This approach accommodates diverse perspectives and strengthens our classroom community.
Routines form the backbone of my approach. From the moment students enter the classroom, they are greeted warmly at the door. I provide clear directions on where they will be going and what they will be doing, setting the tone for focused and purposeful learning from the outset. Anytime I introduce content to students, I use the same general structure, always beginning with a recap of the previous week's material, incorporating artworks or artifacts to spark curiosity and creativity, and finally, I provide a clear outline of goals for the day.
Modeling is another key aspect of my classroom management strategy. I leave no room for ambiguity by modeling all expectations, whether academic, behavioral, or social-emotional. Recognizing that every student brings unique experiences and strengths to the classroom, I make no assumptions about their prior knowledge. Instead, I frequently employ pre-assessments to gauge their understanding and tailor instruction accordingly. Moreover, I actively promote social-emotional learning by having daily check-ins with students and modeling calming strategies and self-regulation techniques, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Setting clear expectations is paramount in maintaining a positive learning atmosphere. From day one, I establish expectations transparently, ensuring that every student understands. In instances where these expectations are not met, I am quick to provide gentle reminders and redirections to reinforce boundaries and foster accountability. When necessary, I employ logical consequences, which promote a sense of responsibility and ownership among students. I believe in empowering students by providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. To this end, I make slides available in advance, allowing students to follow along or otherwise explore concepts at their own pace.
My classroom management strategy is a holistic approach aimed at fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and lifelong learning. By prioritizing routines, modeling expectations, maintaining transparency, and embracing flexibility, I create an environment where every student feels valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential.
My Classroom Management Strategy
Student Work
