To me, collaboration in art education means connecting with others through creativity. It is about sharing ideas, learning from one another, and working together to make something meaningful. In art, people often think of creating as a solo experience, but when you teach or share art, it becomes something bigger. Collaboration means helping others express themselves, building confidence, and finding inspiration together. When ideas are shared, creativity grows in ways it could not on its own. I have had many experiences that taught me the value of working with others, but one of the most important has been through 4-H. I joined 4-H when I was eight years old and eventually took on leadership roles, including song leader, historian, parliamentarian, club vice president, and club president. These roles helped me understand how teamwork, patience, and communication can bring out the best in everyone. Planning events, leading meetings, and encouraging younger members showed me that success comes when people work together toward a common goal. 4-H helped me gain confidence and learn how to support others, lessons that continue to shape how I approach life. Education is important to me because it gives me the tools to turn my passion for art into a meaningful career. When I started working at a painting studio, I discovered how much I enjoy teaching people of all ages to create something they are proud of. Seeing a child light up when they recognize me and say, “My mom showed me your drawings!” reminded me that education allows me to inspire others through creativity. This experience showed me that learning does not just happen in classrooms, it happens every time I teach, paint, or explore new techniques. Because of this, I plan to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Art Education so I can share my love of art as an elementary teacher and eventually open my own studio. Teaching at Moody Hue Studio also showed me what collaboration looks like in practice. Each class felt like a shared journey where students inspired one another, offered suggestions, and celebrated each other’s progress. I learned that teaching art is not about telling someone what to make, but about helping them find their own artistic voice. Seeing someone’s pride in their finished piece reminded me why I want to teach. Collaboration in the classroom means creating an environment where everyone feels supported, encouraged, and proud of what they can do. Outside of art, volunteering has strengthened my understanding of collaboration. Whether volunteering at church, assisting with student senate events, or working during move-in days at the college, I have learned that even small acts of service matter. Cleaning spaces, organizing supplies, and helping others succeed taught me that teamwork builds stronger communities. These experiences reminded me that collaboration is about showing up, giving your best effort, and working together to make a difference. As I work toward becoming an art educator, I know collaboration will always be at the center of my teaching. I want my classroom to be a place where students share ideas, grow together, and gain confidence in their abilities. Art has the power to connect people, and I want my students to experience that for themselves.