MARGARET HANSON
I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Art Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and am set to graduate in May 2025. Art has always been more than just a creative outlet for me—it’s a way to understand the world, tell stories, and connect with others. I love working with students of all ages, helping them find their own unique voices through artistic expression. My experience spans multiple mediums, including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, art metals, and sculpture, but painting and making comics have always been my personal favorites.
Beyond the classroom and the studio, I love to be on the move. Running, hiking, and traveling keep me inspired, and I’m always on the lookout for new foods to try and new experiences to fuel my creativity. Art and life are deeply connected, and I’m always searching for ways to bring that connection into my teaching.
ABOUT ME
I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Art Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and am set to graduate in May 2025. Art has always been more than just a creative outlet for me—it’s a way to understand the world, tell stories, and connect with others. I love working with students of all ages, helping them find their own unique voices through artistic expression. My experience spans multiple mediums, including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, art metals, and sculpture, but painting and making comics have always been my personal favorites.
Beyond the classroom and the studio, I love to be on the move. Running, hiking, and traveling keep me inspired, and I’m always on the lookout for new foods to try and new experiences to fuel my creativity. Art and life are deeply connected, and I’m always searching for ways to bring that connection into my teaching.
ABOUT ME
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Art is a part of life, and a proper art education is an absolute necessity. As an art educator, I teach students how to see the world more clearly, to better read, interpret, and understand the visual culture we spend our lives so deeply immersed in. The skills a student learns in an art course are not confined to the classroom. They are life skills that empower them to approach challenges with confidence and creativity. Creating art, at its core, is about problem-solving and perseverance, being comfortable with being uncomfortable. I believe it is my role to provide that safe space for students to practice habits of perseverance that will stick with them no matter what career they pursue. Not every math student becomes a mathematician, not every English student becomes an author, and not every art student becomes a professional artist, yet, we as educators can use our valuable time with them to mold students into hard-working and creative problem solvers so that they may excel in whatever endeavors they choose.
At the heart of my teaching philosophy are the Studio Habits of Mind, a framework that inspires students to think, question, and create like artists. The ways in which artists ideate, plan, create, and problem-solve are universal life skills. These habits guide everything I do in my classroom, from encouraging students to observe the world more closely to helping them reflect on their creative process. I want my students to leave my classroom not only as skilled artists but also as more thoughtful, curious, and resilient individuals.
Above all, I believe in giving students freedom to be creative and make their own choices as artists. Although I plan my lessons with care and in great detail, I am always open to new ideas, especially when they come from students. Children view the world in a unique way, and the insights and ideas they offer are invaluable. Directing your own creative process is a life skill and as long as students are engaged and meeting all of the standards and requirements, then I think a change of plans can be appropriate. My role as the teacher is to guide, support, and challenge them and to provide the tools and encouragement they need to grow while simultaneously trusting them to take ownership of their work. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student engage with something they are passionate about.