Statement of Faith and Teaching Philosophy Kari Hatfield I am a dedicated, quirky, and passionate person.

I believe that all gifts come from God, and that I have been given a passion for the arts for a reason. As a Christian artist and educator, it is my responsibility to strive for excellence in all that I do and to inspire others to do the same. I believe the purpose of theatre is very similar to the purpose of Christianity. In Romans 12:2 Paul states, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (English Standard Version). The intersection of theatre and Christianity can be found in this: Theatre should strive to transform, renew, and test the things we believe so that we know why we believe. It is my passion to instill this idea into the minds of students who have been called into this beautiful, worthy, and sometimes trying profession. As a teacher it is important to me to begin a new class by making sure my students feel safe. I want everyone to feel comfortable and welcome in the group. In my classroom every student is valued, and they know that when one is missing, everyone is affected. I view each student as an individual, whole person. I am most concerned with discovering how I can give them an opportunity to grow as human beings and as Christians, as well as students and artists. Inspiring my students to know how their voices can be heard in the secular world of theatre is something that I strive to do. In my classes, I like to have fun. Talking to hear my own voice is not my goal, nor do I like to always sit still. I am very concerned with making sure the class is with me and clearly understands what I am saying. Following Jesus example, I try to take students where they are and relate the subject to their lives (through analogies, stories, etc.). My overall goal is for my students to clearly understand the main point of the class and because of this I sometimes sacrifice the minor details. Although structure is important, I try not to sacrifice effectiveness for structure. As a student, I am most inspired by teachers who create a safe environment in which I can learn from failure. I admire teachers who guide without providing all the answers. I respect teachers who are able to create new questions, not recite old answers. The best teachers are collaborators, not dictators. They use their own instincts, experiences, and gifts to stimulate, challenge, and nurture others towards a more examined and rewarding life. These are qualities that I aspire to emulate in my own teaching. I believe every area of education is essential to learning in the theatre arts. Students should be well-rounded in life as well as in theatre, and I believe a liberal arts education is a means to that end. I want to make a difference in the world of theatre, not for personal glory, but because I feel called to use the theatre as a tool to make

the world a better place. I believe theatre should be created, not for artists or academics, but for the betterment of society and the glory of God, the ultimate creator artist. I want my students to ask, What is Gods plan for me in this profession?