A big part of this next chapter is my focus as a student. A week ago I started my cert to Teach English as a Foreign Language or TEFL. It’s been 27 years since I took my last test for a class. I spent years homeschooling my children, but I had an answer book to aid in grading quizes and tests. I was a little nervous when it came time to take my first quiz. I got a 10/10. Phew. My renewed life as a professional learner is off to a good start.
The first two modules for the certification have been about the history of the English language and the philosphy of what makes a teacher successful. It was encouraging to see the pages of information detailing why this organization puts such an emphasis on the importance of using a wholistic approach to teaching English to learners from other countries. I’m excited to see how this training will combine with my Danceability teaching intensive that begins in a little over a week. I’ll share more about that as it’s happening. Here’s a link to Danceability’s site so you have a better undertstanding of what it is.
I don’t think it a coincidence that TEFL cert and the Danceability Method are building blocks on my journey to an MA in Theater. It’ll be exciting to see how they all fit together as I develop my thesis. I know that I really want to focus on storytelling. I know some of you think, “DUH, isn’t theater all about story telling?” Yes, it is. BUT, I would like to develop a method of helping people share their personal stories in creative ways. In a way it might follow the philosophy of Moment Work throught the Tectonic Theater. My daughter, a theater major, introduced this to me as she experienced a moment workshop. Their “core values are courage and risk taking, innovation, theatricality, social & political change, and egalitarianism: everyone has a voice in the creation of new work.” Everyone has a voice. There are those out there who cannot speak for themselves or who do not have the mobility to create a dance or theater piece on their own. Think of all of the God stories we might see, hear, engulf ourselves in if we opened up the possibilties for those who have been pigeon-holed by someone’s bias.
It’s all just part of my dream that I’m trying to take from the liquid state and move into the jello phase.
Solacegirl 