Hello!
My school is a comprehensive public high school with about 2100 students and declining enrollment in the district. I took over our theatre arts program 5 years ago and started with 1 period of theatre and 30 students (including beginning and advanced in the same room, same period). Despite living in an area where the arts are not highly funded, supported, or valued, finally this year I have managed to have 5 periods of theatre, though 2 are still on the smaller side.
My administration is suddenly attempting to give one section of my beginning theatre to another instructor on campus. Additionally, a teacher that does not want it or want to continue with the program. The admin claims this is due to numbers; that so many students want to take theatre 1 that an additional class period is necessary.
However, this argument is rather moot, as they are trying to give me one period of intermediate/IB combined with 15 students and 1 period of tech with only 10 students. With proper scheduling I would be more than capable of handling all of the theatre classes. Additionally, our choir program is struggling. Shifting some introductory theatre students into introductory choir would greatly help the entire performing arts department.
When all of these arguments were made to the administrator in charge of scheduling, he yelled at me and would not budge. I feel unnecessarily splitting the program will create so many issues that I am almost considering leaving the site if the administration will not act in the best interest of the program.
I was wondering if anyone else in a comparable school has more than 1 theatre teacher. If so, I'd like to be able to list advantages of one program lead at a school this size and the disadvantages of a split program with only one period going to a different instructor. Any input or information would be incredibly helpful as my next meeting is today at 3pm. Thank you so much in advance.
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Jennifer Hyde
Moreno Valley CA
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