As I teach in various different dance schools and have found that all teachers have their own ideas on how classes should be run I have created my own set of ethics for my teaching.
1. Creating a good self-image when teaching. I make sure that my hair is neat and I am dressed in suitable clothing for a dance lesson. I feel this is important because if a teacher looks sloppy and thrown together pupils may begin to think that it is acceptable for them not to be in the correct uniform and for their hair to be messy.
2. Be punctual. I always try and arrive 30 mins before a class, to make sure I have enough time to set up the studio and to be organised for when the pupils arrive. I think it is important for the kids themselves to be 10/15 mins early for class if possible, as I understand that other activities happen after school. But being 10 mins early gives them the time to get ready and not feel rushed going into class.
3. Teaching Qualifications. I am beginning my Modern Teaching Qualifications with the I.S.T.D in January. I have always felt very passionate about the importance of a teacher being qualified when teaching. Young kids are constantly developing and teachers need to be aware of the body and how to technically teach a child the necessary steps on how to correctly perform steps.
4. DBS Check. I have noticed that a lot of teachers have asked me about my DBS check as soon as I have gotten in contact with them.
5. Equal opportunities within the class, every child is made to feel included and part of the class. I make a conscious effort not to favour any particular student.
6. Social Media sharing. As I don't run my own school I have seen different ways in which teachers deal with social media and advertising. I do not share anything on facebook without consulting the owner of the school first.
7. Parent/Teacher relationship. It is important to be aware of students parents so that if anything occurs during the class whether it be an injury or a behavioural issue that you can speak to them professionally about the matter.
8. Finally, I think it is really important that every child goes home happy after a class and doesn't leave feeling they aren't good enough or upset. Corrections should always be constructive and I try not to ever sound too negative.
Friday, 27 October 2017
Thursday, 19 October 2017
Imagery; Not just for kids but for professionals too?
After reading some of the comments surrounding the questions I had written on my blog, I decided to do some research on Imagery.
When, I teach pre-school children imagery is the one tool I have noticed that really stimulates their thinking.
I spend a lot of the time during these classes relating an image/ action to the movement we are performing.
With the help of my mum who is a ballet teacher, she has created a class that is based around imagery, movement, rhythm, performance and creativity to help introduce Pre-school children into the world of dance.
I have gained so much knowledge watching her teach this class and realised the importance of keeping a young child interested and alert for 45 minutes is not an easy job.
This is when I realised that a three year old will never react or understand if I asked he/she to perform the movement of a plie. However, If I ask her to open the window so her teddy bear can see out and look at butterflies and fairies she immediately can relate and better comprehend the movement.
I then thought about how imagery carries on throughout a dancer's entire life not just as a young child.
When teaching technical elements, using imagery can really aid development. For example, in ballet when teaching a rond de jambs/ plie or any action where the hips must stay in line and facing forward to convey the image that you have a set of headlights on your hips and they must stay level and forward as if you are driving a car really helps some pupils. Sometimes you have to have a range of images as different images "click" with children.
Also, for a professional who is waiting to go on the stage the ability to use imagery to rehearse backstage is a great tool. A great definition I found was "Imaging allows a vision to be created in the dancer's internal environment"
When, I teach pre-school children imagery is the one tool I have noticed that really stimulates their thinking.
I spend a lot of the time during these classes relating an image/ action to the movement we are performing.
With the help of my mum who is a ballet teacher, she has created a class that is based around imagery, movement, rhythm, performance and creativity to help introduce Pre-school children into the world of dance.
I have gained so much knowledge watching her teach this class and realised the importance of keeping a young child interested and alert for 45 minutes is not an easy job.
This is when I realised that a three year old will never react or understand if I asked he/she to perform the movement of a plie. However, If I ask her to open the window so her teddy bear can see out and look at butterflies and fairies she immediately can relate and better comprehend the movement.
I then thought about how imagery carries on throughout a dancer's entire life not just as a young child.
When teaching technical elements, using imagery can really aid development. For example, in ballet when teaching a rond de jambs/ plie or any action where the hips must stay in line and facing forward to convey the image that you have a set of headlights on your hips and they must stay level and forward as if you are driving a car really helps some pupils. Sometimes you have to have a range of images as different images "click" with children.
Also, for a professional who is waiting to go on the stage the ability to use imagery to rehearse backstage is a great tool. A great definition I found was "Imaging allows a vision to be created in the dancer's internal environment"
Friday, 13 October 2017
Questions arising that relate to my practice?
Since beginning to read through some literature it has definitely sparked some thoughts and questions in my mind regarding teaching young children and the best classroom environment for them.
Here are some questions I am trying to answer myself through doing more reading and also from speaking to others with a similar inquiry subject and other professionals in my practice.
At what age should a child enter a more structured dance class?
Are Examinations and Competitions vital for a child in the dance industry or can they have a negative effect?
In a Creative Movement Class for Pre-school children, should a teacher correct a child's behaviour or movement during the class or is this hindering their development?
How important is imagery in dance? And should imagery be used for younger children or can it be helpful to the more mature performer?
Should a creative movement class given by a professional dance teacher be provided to all Pre-school children in education?
How important is it for the teacher to be qualified when teaching Pre-school children?
Here are some questions I am trying to answer myself through doing more reading and also from speaking to others with a similar inquiry subject and other professionals in my practice.
At what age should a child enter a more structured dance class?
Are Examinations and Competitions vital for a child in the dance industry or can they have a negative effect?
In a Creative Movement Class for Pre-school children, should a teacher correct a child's behaviour or movement during the class or is this hindering their development?
How important is imagery in dance? And should imagery be used for younger children or can it be helpful to the more mature performer?
Should a creative movement class given by a professional dance teacher be provided to all Pre-school children in education?
How important is it for the teacher to be qualified when teaching Pre-school children?
Thursday, 12 October 2017
Forming a Special Interest Group
Since deciding on a broad inquiry I have began thinking about Special Interest Groups and how to decide who is relevant to you and how this group through communication can develop ideas. For me I felt like Special Interest Groups have a link with the idea of Professional Networking that we looked at in Module One. A professional Network is a connected community of people. When entering a professional network you are establishing relationships with people who can help you achieve your goals. I decided to look back on some blogs I wrote about Professional Networking. I looked back on the brainstorm I did regarding my current networks and if I could interlink my networks with my Special Interest Group.
From the BAPP course and after our conversation on Skype I realised that Emily Richard's also teaches and her inquiry is based on teaching. Although we are not looking at the same specific topic I think that we could definitely help each other with ideas and thoughts. I have also had a read of Lauren Haprer's blog and seeing as she teaches dance and is also a teaching assistant I feel like entering into conversation with her regarding dance education for Pre-School Children would be interesting!!
This is what I've found so far, but anyone else who has a similar interest, please feel free to leave a comment!!
Outside of the BAPP course I feel like I could develop my contacts, this may be more networking but I feel that these are people I may be able to speak to about my inquiry.
Teaching in new schools and speaking to teachers with years of experience is something I love doing and seeing their way of delivering a class.
I am also attending a teaching seminar in London in November and beginning my teacher training course in January will be a place I can speak to people my own age beginning their teaching journey and also the lecturers with years of experience!
What is a suitable inquiry for me?
During module one I was sure my inquiry would be based around dance physiotherapy. Throughout the first module I found I was interested in Learning Styles, I also was gaining more teaching experience last year. This led me to the idea of how dance and movement can benefit those with autism. Beginning module two I was certain that this was the route I wanted to take. However, things have changed!!
Doubt had entered my mind and I was worried that I was taking on a topic I didn't know enough about. Yes, having trained as a performer for four years I am knowledgeable in that area and I am constantly gaining teaching experience but autism is an area I know little about. Yes, I could do endless research but would I do it justice.
During a Skype conversation Adesola affirmed my thoughts and having read her blog post, where she explained about how the inquiry should help develop you practice not start a whole new practice. This is exactly where I was going wrong. Yes, if I had short-term goals to start a course in the area of autism and dance this would be a really helpful inquiry but currently my practice has not changed, I am still a performer with a passion for teaching.
This meant back to the drawing board for me!!
As I had decided a few months back to begin my Teaching Qualifications with the I.S.T.D I felt like a teaching related inquiry is something I could really benefit from and could develop my practice in conjunction with my teacher training course.
I began to brainstorm and currently I am reading a lot of literature related to the area of the benefits of dance and movement for Pre-School children and the different learning styles that can aid teachers in a class environment. The idea of imagery and creativity in a classroom and when a child should develop from creative movement into a more structured class plan. It's a starting point and I feel a more beneficial subject for myself and my practice!
Doubt had entered my mind and I was worried that I was taking on a topic I didn't know enough about. Yes, having trained as a performer for four years I am knowledgeable in that area and I am constantly gaining teaching experience but autism is an area I know little about. Yes, I could do endless research but would I do it justice.
During a Skype conversation Adesola affirmed my thoughts and having read her blog post, where she explained about how the inquiry should help develop you practice not start a whole new practice. This is exactly where I was going wrong. Yes, if I had short-term goals to start a course in the area of autism and dance this would be a really helpful inquiry but currently my practice has not changed, I am still a performer with a passion for teaching.
This meant back to the drawing board for me!!
As I had decided a few months back to begin my Teaching Qualifications with the I.S.T.D I felt like a teaching related inquiry is something I could really benefit from and could develop my practice in conjunction with my teacher training course.
I began to brainstorm and currently I am reading a lot of literature related to the area of the benefits of dance and movement for Pre-School children and the different learning styles that can aid teachers in a class environment. The idea of imagery and creativity in a classroom and when a child should develop from creative movement into a more structured class plan. It's a starting point and I feel a more beneficial subject for myself and my practice!
Wednesday, 4 October 2017
Group Discussion 3/10/17
The group discussion yesterday was my first Skype since last May which felt like a lifetime ago!!
Over the summer I had given a little thought to my Inquiry ideas but felt like I wasn't making great developments. However, the skype discussion was a great way to get me thinking and back on track.
I had realised that over the summer I had fallen back into the habit of looking for answers from others rather than discovering them myself. This was one of the first things Adesola highlighted in the discussion.
I spoke to the group about my inquiry idea of how Dance, Music and Movement can aid the overall development of those on the Autism Spectrum. Hannah referred to Autism not as a disadvantage but as an alternative way of thinking. To me, this is a brilliant way to explain Autism as I have taught children who are on the Autism Spectrum and have always found that there is a way to teach them but just possibly from a different approach. Which linked with the alternative way of thinking not only for those with autism but for those trying to teach and develop their social skills, we need to be able to adapt to different learning styles. Different ways of learning is something I briefly looked at during Module one and something I want to research further in the coming weeks.
Henry also spoke about the subject of dance being compulsory in primary and secondary education. In Ireland it is an area that is overseen in my opinion so it would interest me to speak to teachers in education to see what there view is on this matter. Adesola also mentioned how we need to look back in time and see how others have researched these areas and their findings.
Over the summer I had given a little thought to my Inquiry ideas but felt like I wasn't making great developments. However, the skype discussion was a great way to get me thinking and back on track.
I had realised that over the summer I had fallen back into the habit of looking for answers from others rather than discovering them myself. This was one of the first things Adesola highlighted in the discussion.
I spoke to the group about my inquiry idea of how Dance, Music and Movement can aid the overall development of those on the Autism Spectrum. Hannah referred to Autism not as a disadvantage but as an alternative way of thinking. To me, this is a brilliant way to explain Autism as I have taught children who are on the Autism Spectrum and have always found that there is a way to teach them but just possibly from a different approach. Which linked with the alternative way of thinking not only for those with autism but for those trying to teach and develop their social skills, we need to be able to adapt to different learning styles. Different ways of learning is something I briefly looked at during Module one and something I want to research further in the coming weeks.
Henry also spoke about the subject of dance being compulsory in primary and secondary education. In Ireland it is an area that is overseen in my opinion so it would interest me to speak to teachers in education to see what there view is on this matter. Adesola also mentioned how we need to look back in time and see how others have researched these areas and their findings.
Saturday, 8 April 2017
Task 3A: Current Networks
I first began thinking about my Professional and Personal Networks after the Skype session with Paula on Reader 3. It didn't take me long to realise that in some cases they interlinked. In the Performance industry I believe that it is vital that we explore different paths as there are such a vast range of opportunities for performers and who knows, one path may lead you to another and open new doors. I believe that the best way to explore new options is by; 1. Networking and 2. Giving it a go. However, it is difficult to dive in to something if we aren't in contact with the right people. This is why networking is vital in my professional practice.
I loved Eleanor's idea to use a brainstorming session so that she could clearly see on paper all of her current networks so I decided to use this idea also.
I found this way of discovering all of my current networks useful. As it made me realise how some of my networks overlap with professional and personal but are still very important networks to me. Personally, networking is something I need to work on as I tend to sit back and hope that the right audition will come along as opposed to getting my name out there.
Since returning to London in January I try to get to at least one class at Pineapple Dance Studios but really to improve on my current networks I need to get to a few more different classes. This is a great way to network both professionally and personally as you get to meet other performers who take class and a lot of the teachers at Pineapple are Industry Professionals who are still working or involved some way in the industry, getting to go to these classes means that I am getting myself out into the industry and who knows what opportunities may develop from this.
To further develop my teaching networks in the UK and Ireland, it is in my plans in the near future to begin my teaching exams with the ISTD. This will get me in contact with more teachers and also teachers in training. This is a very useful community of practice to be involved in as teaching is something I really enjoy and a great part time job to have while auditioning.
Professionally I think it would be useful for me to try and improve my professional networks in Ireland. Dublin is where majority of the big theatre work happens in Ireland and as I live nowhere near the county I have never built up a good network here. I decided to join a Commercial Modelling Agency in Dublin after graduating. After attending a few Commercial castings it made me realise what a small community of practice there is in Dublin. Everybody knows one another and it is definitely about "who you know" I feel like living in London immediately takes you outside the bubble but it is something I think I should try and work on developing my current networks in Ireland.
My Current Networks and Ethical Concerns for Networking
As I said before having an overlap between Professional and Personal Networks is great but also leads me to realise how careful I need to be on Social Media. I am not majorly into posting on social media and I like to ensure I don't too much of an insight to my life on these sites. I try to keep my personal pages slightly professional and I am very careful about commenting and ensuring that I would be happy for anyone to read or see anything I post. This is vital especially when it could be the difference between you securing a job or not.
For me, networking really lends itself in my practice to the importance of the theory of Communication Technology. So much of networking in my practice is done through social media sites and connecting to people via the web. I do feel very lucky for the training I received as I feel it has made me very approachable and capable of making good professional links.
I loved Eleanor's idea to use a brainstorming session so that she could clearly see on paper all of her current networks so I decided to use this idea also.
Since returning to London in January I try to get to at least one class at Pineapple Dance Studios but really to improve on my current networks I need to get to a few more different classes. This is a great way to network both professionally and personally as you get to meet other performers who take class and a lot of the teachers at Pineapple are Industry Professionals who are still working or involved some way in the industry, getting to go to these classes means that I am getting myself out into the industry and who knows what opportunities may develop from this.
To further develop my teaching networks in the UK and Ireland, it is in my plans in the near future to begin my teaching exams with the ISTD. This will get me in contact with more teachers and also teachers in training. This is a very useful community of practice to be involved in as teaching is something I really enjoy and a great part time job to have while auditioning.
Professionally I think it would be useful for me to try and improve my professional networks in Ireland. Dublin is where majority of the big theatre work happens in Ireland and as I live nowhere near the county I have never built up a good network here. I decided to join a Commercial Modelling Agency in Dublin after graduating. After attending a few Commercial castings it made me realise what a small community of practice there is in Dublin. Everybody knows one another and it is definitely about "who you know" I feel like living in London immediately takes you outside the bubble but it is something I think I should try and work on developing my current networks in Ireland.
My Current Networks and Ethical Concerns for Networking
As I said before having an overlap between Professional and Personal Networks is great but also leads me to realise how careful I need to be on Social Media. I am not majorly into posting on social media and I like to ensure I don't too much of an insight to my life on these sites. I try to keep my personal pages slightly professional and I am very careful about commenting and ensuring that I would be happy for anyone to read or see anything I post. This is vital especially when it could be the difference between you securing a job or not.
For me, networking really lends itself in my practice to the importance of the theory of Communication Technology. So much of networking in my practice is done through social media sites and connecting to people via the web. I do feel very lucky for the training I received as I feel it has made me very approachable and capable of making good professional links.
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