This weekend and next week I am helping out at the UIL One Act Play contest. It's the biggest theatre competition in the nation or something. It involves high school's performing one act play's and competing against other high schools. It's a Texas thing. No other states compete.
They hold the state championships in Austin, Tx. And here I am.
Yesterday I was just doing my thing: ushering people to their seats and taking tickets and passing out programs. Minding my own business. And then, all of the sudden, I feel a little tap on my shoulder. I turn around and am shocked and amazed by who is standing there, with a big grin.
My high school theatre teacher.
Let me tell you a little about him..
He was the best teacher ever. He is the reason why I am going to school to be a high school theatre teacher. He inspired me to give it my all and work with what I have. In high school, he balanced being your friend but also the teacher and the authority so well. All of his students knew they could go to him for advice, homework help, boys problems, anything. We had a blast in his class and he gave me a chance to break out from the shy little girl that I had always been.
So, when I turn around and see his standing there, I just can't believe it. I haven't seen him or talked to him since my junior year of high school, when he left us to teach somewhere else. He gave me a huge hug and said he was so glad to see me. I can't hardly sputter out any words. He asks what I'm doing here and I say that I'm just helping out, ushering and whatnot. Right then, the lights dimmer, indicating that a show is about to start. He says it was great to see me and walks back to his seat.
I wanted to tell him that he is the reason I am at UT, studying theatre education, to be a high school theatre teacher and inspire kids like he inspired me. I wanted to see his eyes light up. I wanted to hear him tell me how proud he is of me. Like he used to, back in high school.
But instead I just waved good-bye.
I spent the rest of the night thinking about high school and everything I experienced.
His current students are at the State Championships here in Austin. They perform today in a couple of hours and when I'm watching them perform, I won't help but feel a.) jealous, because when he was MY theatre teacher, we never made it to State Championships b.) hopeful, because I want them to win, so that he will be happy and c.) thrilled, because one day, I know I will be here at State Championships with my group of high school students.
One day.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Denoument
This week is the final week of classes!
Today I had my last creative drama class, my last directing class, and my last fieldwork teaching assignment (I was placed in a second grade classroom and had to teach 5 lessons).
I really learned a lot about myself this semester, not only as a teaching artist but also a person. So many things became clear to me and I gained a lot of perspective.
What I learned:
1.) 2nd graders are the most thoughtful and precious kids ever. After my final lesson today, the class presented me with thank you cards that they had made. One of them says: " Dear Karie- Your the Best teacher ever I wish you could stay for two mor weeks because if you leave I will miss you so much." Aww, bless their little hearts.
2.) Although I do enjoy teaching, I like directing better. I have become more aware of the fact that I have a good intuition and sense about things and it is more helpful in directing than in teaching. In directing, I can build an awesome set and create fantastic pictures and work the moments in a script but, if asked, I couldn't really tell you why I created those things or my reasoning behind it. I couldn't verbally explain it to you. You may think that this might be a flaw, but I think it's just good intuition. True, I haven't developed all the flowery language that professional directors use but I think directing just comes to me. In teaching, if you don't have that reasoning behind what you're doing, your lessons might not work out.
3.) Everything is going to be just fine. No worries.
4.) People are fascinating, yet so simple. This semester I was continually amazed by some peoples choices, decisions, and resolves. Including my own. I have been left to wonder about peoples motivations and how high the stakes are. And sometimes, people just do what they gotta do.
5.) True friends are hard to come by.
This semester has been spent reflecting a lot. Mostly because in every one of my classes I have had to write reflection paper after reflection paper where I am supposed to ponder and think about my work thus far in my college education. I think taking a critical look back on your work and your accomplishments is a vital part of growth and discovery and in order to have that shift in understanding of yourself, others, and the world around you, reflection is key.
I'm totally ready for summer! I just want to sit by the pool and think back to simpler times when my biggest decision involved what I was going to eat for lunch. I will also hopefully get a sparkling, dazzling tan. I want to look fabulous for my last year of college (which is why I purchased Carmen Electra's Home Workout DVD) and be in a peaceful mental state for when I take on those 21 hours in the fall.
Oiy!
Today I had my last creative drama class, my last directing class, and my last fieldwork teaching assignment (I was placed in a second grade classroom and had to teach 5 lessons).
I really learned a lot about myself this semester, not only as a teaching artist but also a person. So many things became clear to me and I gained a lot of perspective.
What I learned:
1.) 2nd graders are the most thoughtful and precious kids ever. After my final lesson today, the class presented me with thank you cards that they had made. One of them says: " Dear Karie- Your the Best teacher ever I wish you could stay for two mor weeks because if you leave I will miss you so much." Aww, bless their little hearts.
2.) Although I do enjoy teaching, I like directing better. I have become more aware of the fact that I have a good intuition and sense about things and it is more helpful in directing than in teaching. In directing, I can build an awesome set and create fantastic pictures and work the moments in a script but, if asked, I couldn't really tell you why I created those things or my reasoning behind it. I couldn't verbally explain it to you. You may think that this might be a flaw, but I think it's just good intuition. True, I haven't developed all the flowery language that professional directors use but I think directing just comes to me. In teaching, if you don't have that reasoning behind what you're doing, your lessons might not work out.
3.) Everything is going to be just fine. No worries.
4.) People are fascinating, yet so simple. This semester I was continually amazed by some peoples choices, decisions, and resolves. Including my own. I have been left to wonder about peoples motivations and how high the stakes are. And sometimes, people just do what they gotta do.
5.) True friends are hard to come by.
This semester has been spent reflecting a lot. Mostly because in every one of my classes I have had to write reflection paper after reflection paper where I am supposed to ponder and think about my work thus far in my college education. I think taking a critical look back on your work and your accomplishments is a vital part of growth and discovery and in order to have that shift in understanding of yourself, others, and the world around you, reflection is key.
I'm totally ready for summer! I just want to sit by the pool and think back to simpler times when my biggest decision involved what I was going to eat for lunch. I will also hopefully get a sparkling, dazzling tan. I want to look fabulous for my last year of college (which is why I purchased Carmen Electra's Home Workout DVD) and be in a peaceful mental state for when I take on those 21 hours in the fall.
Oiy!
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