Successful Theatre Teachers: Connect with Kids
The “awards”
wall...I know that when I walk into a teacher's classroom or office
or teaching space & see a wall filled with student
photos, letters from kids, handmade cards emblazoned with “THANK
YOU” or “YOU ARE THE BEST DIRECTOR EVER”, or funky objects
(shakespeare figures, fuzzy bookmarks, pins/stickers, show
memorabilia, etc) - I know I have walked into the room of an educator
who has connected with her/his students.
The “hanger-outers”...I
know that when I walk into a teacher's classroom or office or
teaching space before school or between classes or during lunch or
after school and see kids hanging out on the floor or on the couch or
on the teacher's desk...I know I have walked into the room of an
educator who has connected with her/his students.
The “helpers”...
I know that when I walk into a teacher's classroom or office or
teaching space and see kids show up to ask if the teacher needs
anything – an errand run, a hand finishing a set piece, a call made
- I know I have walked into the room of an educator who has connected
with her/his students.
The “tattle-tales”...
I know that when I walk into a teacher's classroom or office or
teaching space and kids run in, between classes, to quickly share the
derogatory or congratulatory comments they heard in the hallway or
from another staff member about the program, another kid in the
program, or the Theatre teacher, I know I have walked into the room
of an educator who has connected with her/his students.
I know I have walked into the spaces of over
30 successful Theatre teachers
on this journey thus far because I see
that the kids are engaged with that educator beyond just the classes
and the rehearsals. There is a fine line we walk in handling these
relationships with our students...it is one we hover on
constantly...but if we are truly making an impact with our students,
we walk it well.
