Teaching philosophy
I am committed to mentoring by example and to creating educational environments that promote excellence and inquisitiveness in artistic expression. I communicate openly to students about my own thoughts and challenges, creating an accepting and nurturing space. I also expect a strong work ethic, informed dialogue, and a high level of performance. I bring an interdisciplinary approach to teaching, as well as an awareness of contemporary art practice and theory in a global context. By exposing students to a diversity of voices, artistic approaches and cultural experiences, students are invited to embrace a world where their own definitions of identity, place and representation are challenged and reinvented as they come into their own.
Hand in hand with teaching and developing photography curricula as Chair of Photography and Professor at the Corcoran College of Art + Design (1995-2016), Program Chair and Professor at the George Washington University (2016-18) my work extends to engaging communities across borders and socio-cultural divides in a dialogue about personal and collective memory and history. I am now Professor Emerita at George Washington University and Visiting Artist at the Hartford Art School's MFA Interdisciplinary Arts program. I founded and direct Laberinto Projects, a transnational, cultural memory and education initiative that fosters contemporary art practices, social inclusion and dialogue in El Salvador and its U.S. diaspora, through exhibitions, art education, artist residencies and community engagement.
For a full listing of teaching experience, visiting artist lectures and workshops, please check out my CV, listed and downloadable on the website.
