Look at the world and react to it.  That simple statement forms the lowest common denominator in all of my teaching and helps me remember that what a teacher does is introduce and culture vocabulary that students will use to react in their own way.  This reminder encourages me to consciously develop classes are about communication.  Classes that allow students to harness their own inherent power to react.  Through creative examples and critical assignments, a student will quickly understand that we transform our vocabulary to best express our view and reach out to different people.  This understanding combined with mastery of diverse technical processes, in-depth visual literacy,  and an opportunity to specialize their personal vocabulary will equip students to be successful artists and designers.