My End-Of-Year Thoughts for those who read the Open Community
Hopefully some of what I mention might be remembered.
You are the expert in the room. Invite students to join you in the journey or learning about Theatre.
You are a professional Theatre educator.
Train your administrators that Theatre is just as important as other subjects.
We have National Core Arts Standards.
We are really skilled at working with SEL for students of all levels and learning capabilities.
You are a professional and part of an international Theatre Education Association.
You choose scripts/scenes carefully for your students.
You need to receive paid compensation for after-school hours of Production.
Communicate with a rehearsal and production calendar to all students and parents and administrators prior to auditions.
Protect yourself in any audition by having a panel to help cast.
Stick to the rehearsal ending time. Walk out, locking the door at the end of rehearsal time.
If you are not a Technical Theatre expert, find monies for walk on-"coaches-theatre artists."
Take advantage of the Theatre Ed Pro workshops/blogs/click-to-teach.
Take time to go to conferences. Students will enjoy what you return with as lessons and tips.
Teach students how to advocate for the ARTS. Have each prepare a 30 second-elevator speech to be delivered to anyone.
Get involved in Community Outreach.
Do not allow your theater to become a school storage facility.
If you teach a class in which some students did not select the class, after a respective time and communication with counselors/parents, etc. it is okay to recommend the student find some other class. It is not your fault.
Bring an Emeritus Theatre teacher in to do workshops.
Have a life outside of the school theater. Value life in the daylight. Go home and love your family. Students graduate. Hopefully your family is forever.
To Any Emeritus Members who are reading this post: if you would like to join a group of us to post periodically as Wednesday's Wisdom from Sage Emeritus EdTA Members, send
gaijones2013@gmail.com a note. We will begin again in January 2023.
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Gai Laing Jones
EdTA Past President, ETF Board Member, CETA VP Membership, DTASC Advocacy Director, DTA Contributor, AATE Member, AACT Youth Committee Member, CSUEB Field Supervisor for Pre-Service Theatre Educators, Ojai Art Center Ex Board/Director of Youth Productions, Camp Bravo Instructor, SAG-AFTRA Member/Radio Plays Committee, Theatre Text Book Author, Theatre Inspirational Speaker
gai.jones@sbcglobal.netgaijones2013@gmail.comwww.gaijones.com------------------------------