Elementary Theatre Teacher
Pleasant Hill Elementary, Leander ISD
TETA Elementary Interest Chair
Can you believe we are so close to
Thanksgiving? The school year is flying
by! As I look back to the beginning of
the school year, there are many weeks that blur together due to all the
beginning of year activities at the Elementary level. The semester coming to an end means we are
ever closer to TheatreFest.
As an Elementary Theatre Teacher,
it is easy to feel isolated because we are the only Theatre teacher on our
campus and sometimes in our entire school district. That is one reason TheatreFest is so
fantastic. You will have the opportunity
to network and learn from many other Elementary Teachers (as well as Middle and
High School) from all over the state.
There will be plenty of workshops
to meet your needs whether they are specifically for the Elementary level or
not. When you are looking over your
festival program, look for Elementary Energizers. This is a fast and furious workshop packed
with lessons and ideas. Each teacher who
comes to this workshop should bring a quick lesson, story, or idea to
share. Everyone will leave excited to
get back to school to try out the new lessons they heard about or created from
an idea they heard.
Even the workshops geared toward
the Middle School level are easily adaptable to our students. With such an age-range at the Elementary
level, Middle School teachers can remind us what we are preparing our students
for. Though 6th grade is a
big change, our 5th graders need to get a taste of what is to come
in Middle School.
When you are at TheatreFest, also
make sure to attend the Elementary Interest Group Meeting. This is a chance to see all the Elementary
Teachers in attendance all in one room.
You will have the opportunity to exchange contact information with one
another to keep in touch once you are back on your home campus. Then when those feelings of isolation creep
up, you can call or email one of the connections you made and remind each other
that through TETA, there is a great support network of teachers across the state. We will also have a chance to discuss issues
pertinent to the Elementary level.
Another reason I love TheatreFest
is the Special Guests. Where else will
you get the chance to be in the same room with a celebrity who has come to
entertain and teach us about our craft.
I have always been a bit of a sucker for celebrity, but I have never
been disappointed by the hour or so spent listening to the special guests speak
about their love of Theatre. I always
leave awed and inspired.
For whatever reason, make sure you
attend TheatreFest in January. I cannot
wait to see you there!