Log Sixteen: Task 2D - Inquiry

• Question 1 - What in your daily practice gets you really enthusiastic to find out more about? Who do you admire who also seems to love this or is an example of what you love?

 I am enthusiastic and motivated of learning new styles of teaching and learning. I think it’s also important to acknowledge and reflect upon how you've learned new skills during your own unique and interesting journey and I am always excited in sharing skills I have learned as well as establishing positive relationships with children and promoting inclusion.

 I am also inspired by notable teachers such as Erin Gruwell who made her classroom a home for her students and fiercely believed in her class of having a freedom of being themselves. In Year 9 at my Secondary School my drama teacher, Mrs Norgrove, had just started teaching at the school and before she had arrived I didn’t have any interest in performing arts, however she changed my perception and gave me the courage and confidence to express myself through use of drama. Having spent some time to reflect upon her unique teaching style I discovered that while she taught with passion, her main focus was to build confidence in her pupils in and outside of the classroom.

• Question 2 – Who do you admire who also works with what makes you enthusiastic?

Mary Ward and Jo Collins as having worked with them for nearly five years their philosophy on inclusive teaching and learning is something I am deeply passionate about. Having co-founded Chickenshed Theatre Company in 1974 together they have ensured that there is an unshakeable foundation of acceptance for anyone with a love and passion to perform. I feel they have pioneered the ideal of inclusive theatre regardless of age, gender, race, backgrounds, sexual orientation or disability.

• Question 3 -What gets you angry or makes you sad?

Negativity, in all forms (Bullying, Discrimination, narrow minds, selfishness, racism, ageism and sexism). I find it quite sad and upsetting seeing someone making someone else feel bad because they have achieved a good mark in their work or vice versa. I rarely get angry as I feel a cool head will always prevail so whenever a negative situation occurs I merely question the motives of the individual or group rather than get angry. 

• Question 4 - What do you love about what you do?

I love establishing rapport and trusting and respectful relationships with children through theatre and in a classroom. I also love going through the motions of seeing how a child uses their imagination to tell a story through an action or simply by their facial expression.

As part of my involvement with Chickenshed Theatre Company I have been working as part of the support team in Children’s Theatre, "Tales from the Shed", and their Christmas production – "Cinderella". The following questions have been raised during my reflective journal writing:

1. How do children develop their self-confidence through use of their imagination in an inclusive theatrical environment?
2. How do children identify themselves within a primary school environment?
3. Will bullying at school ever stop?

Thanks for reading and watching.