TETA K-12 Board Middle
School Interest Chair
Indian Springs Middle School- Keller ISD
“Don’t Stop Believin’: Journey to the Heart
of Texas” was our theme for TETA K-12 SummerFest this year. It has been my honor to serve on the K-12
Board as both the Middle School Interest Chair and as the Middle School At-Large
Member. The members of the K-12 Board are some of the
most passionate, hard-working, energetic, and creative individuals I have ever
had the pleasure of working with. They are dedicated to their craft and yet
selflessly work year-round to execute SummerFest.
One of my duties
while on the K-12 Board for the past 4 years was to acquire donations for SummerFest. Anyone who has ever come to SummerFest knows
that the daily door prizes and especially the “big ticket” items that are given
away at the Sunday luncheon are one of the highlights of the weekend. We have given away 1000s of scripts, resource
books, make-up kits, tech supplies, costume pieces, gift certificates from
large theatrical supply companies, basic teaching supplies, and this year for
the first time, an actual UIL door unit from Unit Sets Unlimited.
At Baylor University this summer, I took several
trips to the local Walmart for enough snacks and ice for about 200 people. A few other Board members came with me as we
loaded up 3 shopping carts of granola bars, drink mixes, water, fruit, chips
and cookies. As the checker looked
“wide-eyed” at the expanse of our purchase, I told her that we were teachers in
town for a conference and was there any way I could speak to a manager and
possibly get a small discount in addition to using the school district tax ID
card we planned on using. In my mind, I
knew this wasn’t going to work because in order to get a discount or a donation
from a big national corporation like Walmart, one must submit a formal request
in writing months in advance. The store
manager, very kindly of course, said “No.”
One of the
friends I was with said, “I don’t know how you can do that, Sara.-Just ask for
something like a donation. I couldn’t do it. It makes me nervous and I would
have no idea what to say.” “Well,” I responded, “First you have to put on your
pink slippers.” “Um…what?” my friend replied.
I then explained. When you “put
on your pink slippers,” that means you have the courage to speak up, say what
you feel, get what you want or feel you need, and make your voice heard-
especially when it’s about or for the people you love and care about. This can be particularly hard for those of
us (me included) who tend to shy away from controversy or who just don’t speak
up when you should. If I had a nickel
for every time I said to myself, “I should have said __.” or “I wanted to
say__.” I would be a millionaire.
The “pink slippers” lesson goes back to a
childhood story of mine when my mother was upset (to say the least) with a
secretary at my brother’s elementary school.
I think this secretary kept counting my brother tardy and wouldn’t let
him have the sack lunch he forgot outside at the playground. Now this was long before the days of email,
and this secretary was rude to my mother on the phone. After several phone call attempts, my mother
decides to speak to this woman in person.
She left the house in such a rage, she forgot a few things and showed up
in the front office with her hair in rollers, dressed in her “mumu” (housecoat-type
gown stained with that morning’s breakfast), and yes, her pink slippers. Saying a few choice words to the secretary, “My child may be tardy, but you WILL NOT
deprive him and punish him further by keeping his lunch!!” Mother marched directly to my brother’s
homeroom, with his lunch in hand. Done. (Thank goodness schools did not have security
guards 40 years ago. My dear sweet mother would have a rap sheet.)
Today, when I
have to say something to defend myself, my children, my students or my program,
or do something that requires me to speak up
and step outside my comfort zone, I remember this story.
Because of the
recent education funding crises in Texas, many fine arts educators find themselves
in unfamiliar territory: Too many ideas and not enough money to implement those
ideas. Our numbers and our programs are
growing, but we’re getting little, if any additional funding from the state,
therefore our districts’ hands are tied. I’m sure this sounds very
familiar. So what do we do? Well, it’s
time to get creative with fundraising while raising awareness in your community
demonstrating the quality of your programs and the showing the value behind
what YOU do as a theatre teacher. The
time has come, my fellow teachers, for you to “put your pink slippers on.”
Now the first
step in asking for something, whether it is a large monetary donation or as
simple as school supplies, requires that you talk to people, business
people. The many vendors at TheatreFest
understand the theatrical process and have full appreciation for what we do as
teachers and directors. The manager or owner of your local hardware store might
not. Regardless, business owners are
first and foremost in the business for making a monetary profit. When I first approach them for a donation
either in person at TheatreFest, or via phone/email, I learn and remember their
name and the company they represent.
Again, learn and remember their first name. Also, smile; introduce
yourself, where you’re from and where you teach. You never know, they may have
a child, niece, nephew, grandchild etc. at your school. It really helps to actually start a simple yet
sincere conversation before you ask them for some kind of donation! Be specific
about your project and what materials you need, even ask their advice about a
part of the project. Allow them to feel
special about contributing to the education of our kids. Notice their professional-looking business
card and offer free advertising in the program of your next play, or a link to
their business site on your classroom webpage.
At the beginning
of the school year, find out if there are any students in your classes who own
a local business, or franchise. Maybe
this would be a perfect opportunity for them as an official “sponsor” and help
cover the cost for your costume rentals for the school musical. Offer a free full page colorful ad in the
program. If the district athletic program or local select baseball teams can do
it- shoot so can we. Also, I found a new
website where I’ve created a giant “wish list” that parents can access easily.
Make a link on your classroom website.
The website is www.teacherwishlist.com.
Fundraising. Yikes.
There are certainly lots of options out there and maybe you have your
favorites. Magazine subscriptions, cookie dough, candles, wrapping paper, and
candy bars are only a few. Ready for
something new? Here are a few
alternative fundraising ideas:
Ø Offer to host a
one-day drama camp for children grades 1-6. Registration fee $40 per child. This is run by your students who teach simple
classes where the little kids rotate (fairy tale theatre, theatre games,
mask-making, and basic dance) They bring their own lunch and you make $$. I do this around the holidays and call it
“Holiday Help Shop”
Ø Being inspired
by “Toddlers and Tiaras”, I have one friend who is going to host a kid’s beauty
pageant at her school. She’ll get registration fees AND box office profits. Should she go “glitz” or “natural”? J
Ø What about a student/faculty/parent
talent show. Charge admission and maybe
combine it with a silent auction. Let
students be the “judges” like on America’s Got Talent! You must have the
“Pierce Morgan, Sharon Osborne, and Howie Mandel” impersonators! Audience members put a dollar in the milk jug
of their favorite act. (Somebody gave me this idea at SummerFest!)
Ø Organize a Crazy
Stupid Human/ Pet Tricks talent show and open it up to the community! Have it outside in nicer weather and charge a
fee per animal. A teacher friend of mine
organized a Dog Show and made a ton of money!
Ø Combine your
efforts with neighboring schools- Support
each other and split the profits!
Well, it’s time
to get creative with fundraising while raising awareness in your community
demonstrating the quality of your programs and the showing the value behind
what YOU do as a theatre teacher. I can’t
wait to see the many new friends I made this summer in Waco. TETA TheatreFest 2012 in Houston is going to
be better than ever. You might be
wondering…how can they top last years’ programming, guest artists and amazing
special events? Well, you’ll just have
to come and witness it for yourself!
Where else can you network with inspirational theatre educators, learn
about new directing or motivating techniques, and participate in many “hands
on” workshops like Project Runway? TheatreFest 2012!
Stay strong, keep your head up, and know that
YOU have a huge impact on the lives of so many children and, “Don’t Stop
Believin!” See you all in January. I’ll
certainly be there, wearing my pink slippers, of course!