Teaching Artist to Arts Teacher

Teaching Artist to Arts Teacher – How student teaching made me experience the difference of these two worlds - Talia Marrero

As I begin to sum up my time with the Ed Theatre Program at CCNY, I am now spending a lot of time in the field. To be honest, student teaching was not something I was looking forward to. After being a Teaching Artist - for almost seven years now, I sarcastically thought, “Great! Now I get to do what I have been doing for so many years, but for free.” I was not too keen on the fact that I would be a guest in someone else’s classroom, especially when I was used to running my own in-class or after-school programs without assistance. Student teaching just seemed like something to squeeze into my already busy teaching artist schedule.

However, after the first week of student teaching, I began to reflect on the whole reason I wanted to become a certified teacher in the first place. After so many years of enjoying the life of a teaching artist, with its flexible schedule and generous artistic opportunities, two things remained a constant dissatisfaction. First, I was tired of teaching someone else’s curriculum. I was either brought in to integrate theatre arts into an already existing classroom curriculum; or, I would teach curricula that were given to me by the organization (tweaking it to fit my own style course). Although there was room to collaborate and create, I never felt like I had complete control of the academic agenda. I wanted to plan a year-long curriculum map for theatre arts; not plan an 8 week residency catered to the needs of that given classroom. This brings me to my second dissatisfying factor, I felt like my impact was being cut short. Unless I was doing a year-long after-school program, I did not like cutting my relationships off so quickly with my students after establishing them. My role as a guest teaching artist, in most residencies, was to teach some basic theatre skills and to “put on a show.” I did not get to focus on the process, and I felt like I wasn’t making a difference since I was not a part of the school faculty. I was merely a guest coming in to relieve students from whichever academic class they were normally scheduled for.

Remembering these factors, I left my first week of student teaching easily reminded that being a classroom teacher is a completely different ballgame than that of a teaching artist. I look at my cooperating teacher and am astounded by how significant she is in each student’s life. Her part in that school community adds to their school culture. Bringing theatre into their daily lives, adds to their perception of the school. For once, I actually feel a part of that culture. The students do not see me as a guest that’s there to play theatre games; they see and treat me as a regular teacher - a part of their school community.  It’s a great feeling to know that I am now helping to serve the school’s mission, not only my own.

On the contrast, as a teaching artist, many of my students would look forward to my class. But now, I’m in school where some students are just thrown in to receive an elective credit. I am facing students who do not want to be there – just as much as I didn’t want to be in Math class growing up. Classes taken from the Ed Theatre program helped me approach these situations in various ways, from lesson planning to tackling the art of engagement.

The Ed Theatre program has also helped me hone my craft as an educator. Since I began studying in the program two years ago, I have already sharpened my tools as an instructor. I find that my facilitating skills have strengthened, as well as my ability to easily adapt and modify (which I think are essential skills to have as a classroom teacher.) My sense of intuition has also enhanced, allowing me to cater to the needs of the class – as they are ever changing. My cooperating teacher is also sculpting me to enter the world of the NYC DOE, which is a completely different world than the teaching artist’s world. I am learning the logistical elements to teaching and meeting the requirements of the City. Whether you teach a core content subject or an elective, all teachers are being evaluated the same and must meet the same standards. This is all new information for me to include in my teacher’s toolbox.

All in all, I am quickly seeing the difference from a teaching artist to an arts teacher. As I slowly transition from one to another and continue to self-reflect, I am nothing but completely grateful and satisfied that I have made the switch. Although I am not completely on the other side, I am only steps away and it feels so good. I know that I am well prepared for this new venture. My years as a teaching artist have truly prepared me for what lays ahead. I would not be as ready as I am today if it wasn’t for the combination of my teaching artist experience and education in the Ed Theatre program.

An International Perspective Bahar Cetinsoy

An International Perspective Bahar Cetinsoy

My expectations before starting the program…

Eight years of my teaching career, I have always looked for better ways of teaching and reaching every child.  I have always felt that a big piece of the puzzle was missing.

The second year of my career, I was compelled to run English drama clubs as an ESL teacher who had no experience in teaching  theatre.  It was the  year   that magical dust of theatre was sprinkled on me. Instead of the all hard work,  I was so happy and proud when I put the first production of my English Drama club.  Theatre not only helped me to improve my teaching skills but it also enabled me to see true feelings, behaviors and character of my students.

I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to integrate theatre more in my lesson and run drama activities more profesionally. I searched for a program which could combine both theatre and pedagogy, something not only to teach  about theatre but to teach through theatre. After days of searching, I found  the Educational Theatre program at the City College of New York which  I was  extremely happy and screaming of  joy.  I was so timid and hesitant to write to the director of he program, Jennifer Katona, thinking that I , as an international student, could not be eligiable for it. Mrs. Katona’s wrote back as soon as I emailed to get more information. She was very  welcoming and encouring. From that time on, the  application process  had begun till the last step of it, which was online interview with Sobha Kavanakudiyil.  Unlike most of the teachers I’ve had ,  Ms. Kavanakudiyil friendly  and understanding  attitude  eased my  anxiety  and helped me  express myself  better .

Ten days later, my journey of inquiry started with accaptance letter to the City College of New York, Educacational theatre program.

Here I was, the first class…

 I didn’t know I was the first and the only international student in the program. Before  my first class started, I was very nervous. I was thinking if I could grapple with  language challange  as all my friends  were native speakers of English. Meeting my classmates took all my nervousness away. Everybody had pleasant smile on their face as if tryring to tell me that they were happy to  have me there. They have been so encouraging  and collaborative. Whether a teaching artist or a primary school teacher, everybody brought  their experience in to explore  the purpose of education and how drama and theatre  facilitate learning in different settings.

Even though I was owerwhelmed with the reading  load at first week, I enjoyed  all required reading since I  could find answers for my  questions about how education should be .  The more I read, the more I see how much education needs art and theatre integrated in yhe national curriculum. I have seen how much students  can be engaged in learning without feeling fail, how much fun they could have while learning,  how they could  learn from hands on experience, how a physical movement rather than a test, could  be a tool to evaluate students’ understanding.

I  am at the right place with the right adress in my hand and  proud to be the first international student in this program which will pave my way  with the power of theatre to fulfill my dream  for education. 

New Student, New Year Sarah Malone

NEW STUDENT, NEW YEAR Sarah Malone

It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced the first day of school as a student and not as a teacher.  Two weeks ago, I began classes in the Graduate Program in Educational Theatre. I found that the first day of school as a graduate student didn’t feel all that different from any other first day of school.  I was still nervous and excited.  I still bought new schools supplies.  I still spent a little longer than necessary deciding what to wear.  I suppose the main difference is that the choice to come to grad school was wholly my own.  It’s not required and it’s not even something I’m expected to do--it was my choice and I am very glad to have made it.

I’ve been working in the field of arts education for many years and professionally for the last five.  I am thrilled to be able to devote time, energy, and thought to developing my capacity as an arts educator.  I currently work full time at Roundabout Theatre Company in their Education department but will be transitioning into a new full time position in Education at Disney Theatrical Group.  The idea of working full time while going to grad school doesn’t seem as daunting as it does invigorating. I’m excited to challenge myself to learn new things, brush up on research, and keep abreast of upcoming trends in arts edu. I also can’t wait to get to know my classmates, hear about their experiences, and learn from each other.

Fall has always been my favorite time of year.  And the first day of school has always felt like a holiday to me. I know that Spring usually gets all the credit for being about “new beginnings” but I think Fall deserves some too.  It’s the start of a new season and a new school year-the possibilities are endless.

I Notice, I Like, I Wonder…..Jennifer Katona

I Notice, I Like, I Wonder…..by Jennifer Katona

Ah reflection the cornerstone practice of any great educator  - as I sit down to reflect on the year it occurs to me how quickly it all went by. I know for many of you who spent the year transcribing interviews, rehearsing musical numbers from Jungle Book, reading Dewey and re-writing papers you may have felt like the semester would never end but as quickly as it began in August here we are preparing for graduation.

In spirit of tradition I would like to frame my remarks in what has come to be known as my “LikeWonders” J

I Notice – how much everyone has grown over the semester both in practice and skill as theatre educators but also in dimension and character. I have found myself often this year standing in awe of the talent and integrity of the gradate candidates and alumni and wondering how I became so fortunate to be able to call you all colleagues.

I Like/Love – how the ensemble continues to grow! This year I was able to place 75% of student teachers in the classroom of alumni from the program. That continuation of learning is what makes CCNY unique and strengthens the learning and growth of our theatre teachers.  I have loved all the visitors to CCNY this year –Jeremiah Drake, Jonothan Neelands, Cecily O’Neil, Stephen Belber, Nilaja Sun and Karel Zdarek –each brought a new lens by which to look at the work we do and added new perspectives to our ongoing dialogues.

I Wonder what the coming year will bring –which master Teaching Artists will we welcome –how will CCNY candidates continue to demonstrate themselves as artists, educators and advocates? In what ways will our program adapt to new innovations and mandates and how will those changes impact our learning?

The joy and dread of working in education is that you get to say hello to new faces each school year and this Fall we welcome 30 new candidates however with that welcome comes a good by e and we must say farewell to 25 graduates –however as history has proved I know those graduates will not be far from the heart or minds of the program. I know our relationships and conversations will change but our connections will remain steadfast.

As always it has been an honor to serve as your leader and in the words of Jonothan Neelands spoken to us in January –let the ensemble we’ve developed be a model of how we should interact with each other as human beings in this world….have a great summer!!!

In the Spririt of Collaboration: Coordinating Volunteers at Face to Face

In the spirit of collaboration: Coordinating Volunteers at Face to Face

By Tamar MacKay

This year, I had the pleasure, and sometimes challenge, of coordinating volunteers for the Face to Face conference, the biggest arts in education conference in the New York City area. I was lucky to be working with Matt Freeman, theatre administrator and educator extraordinaire, who has held the position for several years. The Face to Face conference is largely volunteer-run, and in the days leading up to the conference, I was swapping emails back and forth, taking note of schedule changes and cancellations. The theatre industry is always crazy and ever-changing, so I couldn't blame people for having to modify their schedules and for having to take other gigs that would help them in their career...or to pay their rent.

The night before, Matt and I and the rest of the Face to Face team had everything we could have in place, in place...but there was still such an element of uncertainty. Would everything run smoothly? What glitches would pop up that we hadn't anticipated? What would our volunteers be like? More importantly, would we have volunteers? They did have a call time at an ungodly hour....

The next morning the Face to Face team was there at 7am, and as I was moving coat racks and setting up nametags, I wondered if everyone I had been in touch with had decided to give in the urge not to leave their warm beds. But, just a few minutes later, our volunteers began arriving! By the looks of their willingness and enthusiasm, I wondered how many of them had already had time to grab their Starbucks usual.

The role of a volunteer isn't always glamourous, but it is necessary and, I hope, in the end, rewarding. Volunteers were ready to change the set-ups of rooms (which included moving heavy chairs and desks back and forth from room to room), to assist the effervescent Ben Compton, Conference Coordinator, with any tech trouble-shooting in the sessions, set up food, direct traffic, and to complete a plethora of other tasks. We were lucky to have a team that was so ready and willing to help each other, to jump in when needed, and to troubleshoot problems that no one could have predicted. I felt a sense of pride over these people, many of whom I had just met, knowing that they were members of my field. I knew that the arts education was filled with willing and talented people, and the team that we had was proof of this. Matt and I gave direction, but when it came to pure problem-solving, we often threw the task at hand to our volunteers. We had quite a few stage managers and production people, who knew how to change the entire layout of a room or hall efficiently with a short turnover time. We had performers and front of housers who made people feel welcome and helped attendees with where they needed to go. We greatly relied on, and utilized, the talents of our volunteers. With such a great team, everything ran smoothly and we were happy that the volunteers were able to attend sessions at the conference as well- they deserved it! The team acted as a true ensemble, with everyone pitching in and making sure that everything that needed to be done was done.

The Face to Face conference was one of the many experiences I've had at City College that proves that teamwork and collaboration can bring you a long way. Matt and I received many compliments regarding how smoothly the conference ran, and we were sure to acknowledge our great team- it couldn't have been done without them

Family Arts Day - Lisanne Shaffer

Family Arts Day 2013

Lisanne Shaffer

On Saturday April 27^th CCNY Educational Theatre hosted Family Arts Day at Aaron Davis Hall.  I was lucky enough to act as coordinator for the event alongside the amazing Sobha Kavanakudiyil!  When I was first asked to take on this role I was delighted to have the opportunity but also extremely overwhelmed.  This is the third annual Family Arts Day so I wanted to make it the best yet.  I quickly learned that hours of planning were going to be vital to having a successful day.  I have been to community arts events in the past and never fully appreciated the amount of careful planning that goes along with these events.  I will certainly look at community events through a completely different lens now, the lens of pure appreciation!

In planning Family Arts Day Sobha and I collectively decided on the performances, when and where to put each performance, timing of all activities, what supplies to order, and where each volunteer would spend their time throughout the fast paced day.  I am so grateful for everything I learned from Sobha during all of this outlining.  It felt very much like the final weeks leading up to a huge performance.  There were equal moments of excitement and doubt.  I learned that things will not always go as planned and that there will be major and minor hiccups.  Sobha handles all of these situations with such calm and poise.  I learned to smile through it all, because it will all work out in the end.

On the morning of the 27^th I was buzzing with excitement.  I woke up to an absolutely beautiful day and was so eager to get the day started.  All of the volunteers were on time and equally eager which made the morning run so smoothly.  I was so proud to a part of this dynamic educational theatre community we have at CCNY.  Our theatre skills have made us so effective at getting things set up.  I was so grateful that everyone came together in such a positive way.  Everyone worked together seamlessly and at 10 am we were ready to rock and roll!  The morning was a bit quiet but people did begin arriving right at 10.  The first performance was a performance piece on fables done by Sobha’s Children’s Theatre undergraduate class.  They were so excited to perform and did an excellent job.  It was a great start to the day!  This was followed by a melodious sing along.  The energy really seemed to pick up when the sing a long started.  After the sing along we had an original performance written by Jono Waldman called “Ruby and the Storm”.  Jono and his amazing cast, Wendy Rojas and Sobha K, were an absolute delight to watch.  From here everyone was whisked away into the black box theatre for a performance of “I Laid an Egg” by Double Image Theatre Lab.  By this time we had well over 100 people at the event and people kept filing in!  After Double Image Theatre Lab gave an outstanding performance the craft tables were really buzzing.  I saw creative paper bag puppets on the hands of quite a few rambunctious kids, so many different animals were coming to life due to the amazing skills of our face painters, beautiful paper flowers colored the space and a mini masquerade was beginning as children tried on their feathered mask creations.  Then, all of a sudden a drumbeat began as the talented Eric Hoffman, Kailie Larkin and Sarah Abrams led a huge audience out onto the beautiful lawn for a fantastic clown show! It was during this show that I saw so many parents playing and getting involved with their children.  It was amazing to see Dads playing imaginative games with their children and Moms making shapes with their kids using only body parts.  We were so lucky to have such a beautiful sunny day and such talented clowns. Bravo to all who were involved.  After the clown show, we had the talented Martha Hearn’s original play “Bright Lights, Big Cheese”.  This show starred Lindsey Detota, Lindsey Lieberman, Olga Putilina, and Julia Niedzwiecki.  It was amazing how much this show really inspired a sense of play throughout the kids watching.  I heard one child say, “the mice just wanted to play, can you believe that?!”.  We ended the day with a raffle. It warmed my heart to know that those who won could continue their learning and appreciation of the arts further with prizes including tickets to the New Victory Theatre, "Newsies" on Broadway and a one-year membership to Lincoln Center!

Overall I couldn’t be happier with how the day turned out.  Being a part of the planning was such a valuable experience that I will certainly take with me through what I hope is a long career as a theatre educator. I want to give a huge heart felt thanks to all of the volunteers who gave your time for this event! I am in awe of the people I am fortunate enough to get to work with.  To sum things up, a child whom I know came to me at the end of the day and said “I never knew I could have so many adventures in one day!”  Congratulations to all who participated, you gave everyone involved adventures that they will never forget!