Having taught dance for the past 7 years and been able to travel and experience different cultures. I am so excited to start this new journey.
If I ever stop learning I think I'd cease to exist. Working in an industry that is evolving all the time can make it hard to keep up, but that is also the most fun. There is no chance of ever getting bored.
However there is a chance of falling behind. The day a child comes into my class and tells me something I have never heard of will be the day I need to look back and see where I got stuck.
Studying this MAPP course will not only expand my knowledge and allow me to transform and grow as a dance teacher. It also allows me to look back at what I have learned and how I have learned it.
This is so exciting as I feel most of my time spent training and teaching was about looking forward, always wondering what's next and what I can do better next time. To go back and to take the time to reflect is something that is completely alien but I think it will bring a deeper understanding of myself and my teaching.
I know this wont be easy but I'm willing to give it everything I've got.
Here is to many cups of teas, late nights and head scratching!
This blog is to discuss ideas as I start the journey of this MAPP course at Middlesex University.
Hi Alice,I totally understand about looking forward. I know from my own experience how I feel about always trying to do better the next time. Personally, I think it stems from the competition in the dance world and the pressure exams put on me growing up. Now as a teacher, I compete with myself. I always want to push myself (maybe at the same time pushing my pupils too)to do better, what ever I think that might be. It is interesting keeping a journal, I am really learning things that I have never thought about before but just taken for granted, yes it's time to reflect! Samantha
ReplyDeleteI do think that is absolutely it! Being in this industry and growing up in this industry I feel there is no stopping.There is always another level so to speak. Keep pushing to be better, to be more flexible, to improve technique etc etc I guess we don't really know when to stop or even if we can stop. I've found it very peculiar to start to look backwards and slightly exposing. I find it helpful to keep a journal too and taking the time to look at the experiences I've had rather than pushing forwards to the next level. Who knows maybe it will improve our teaching and appreciate the learning that is happening within our own classes more? I certainly hope so!
DeletePS I'll be drinking lots of tea and scratching my head too!
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