Post by Katie Howard: Katie has been an English teacher & theatre director for 12 years, serving in both capacities the last 6 years at Bettendorf High School. You can follow Katie on twitter @Katie_Howard1
What would my boss say if he knew that every day when I walk
into work, I’m already thinking about the moment at the end of the day when
that final bell rings and the students are out the door? (I’ll probably find
out since he’s sure to be reading this). That’s right, I admit it. I am as
excited for the end of the school day as are the kids. Now, it’s not that I
don’t love the work I do in my classroom, I do, and I take great pride in my
work and the success of my students, but when that bell rings at 3:10, I get to
do something that I first fell in love with in high school. I get to go to the
theater. And the most beautiful part is that within those walls are a group of people
who have been staring at the clock all day waiting for 3:10, too. This place is
my home, and it’s where my passion lies.
As teachers, we are most effective when we’re passionate
about something, and my passion lies in the theatre – in creating relationships
and telling people’s stories. So lately, I've asked myself what it is about the
theatre that inspires me. Here’s what I've discovered so far.
Theatre is magic.
Within the walls of the theater you can be anything you want to be. The self-conscious girl who spends the
majority of her days worrying about what others think, can instantly transform
herself into a confident woman who can captivate an entire audience for hours.
That kid who doesn't seem to fit in anywhere else suddenly becomes the one
person that everyone relies on when it comes to making things work backstage.
It's a place where, for a few hours, you can set your own reality aside and see
the world as you wish it were (in my perfect world, people would randomly break
into song.) The possibilities within these walls are endless; there is no limit
to what can be achieved. These are the things that ignite my passion.
Theatre is acceptance. When you walk into the theatre you will find
no two students that are the same. Here
are students that represent different races, religions, socioeconomic groups,
sexual orientations, political affiliations; the list goes on and on. Here you
will find athletes, artists, musicians, and scholars. You will find those that
will go on to pursue doctoral degrees and those whose will complete their
education with a high school diploma. None of it matters. Here it doesn't
matter who you are or what you've done before, students aren't less because
they’re different, they’re appreciated for their individuality. The safety
within these walls allows students to look honestly at themselves, to
acknowledge not just their strengths but weaknesses as well. In this way they
not only accept one another, but learn to accept and appreciate themselves. This is what gives me hope for the future.
Most importantly, theatre
is family. I have my children, two beautiful girls, and “my kids,” more
than one hundred creative, inspired, caring young people who will, I have no
doubt, change the world. This family we create isn't perfect, no family is, but
we love and support one another. What is unique to these relationships as
opposed to most other student-teacher relationships is that they last far
beyond graduation. Fifteen years after graduating from high school, I myself
maintain a strong relationship with my teacher and director, who I am honored
to now call my colleague and friend. I have had the privilege of watching my
former students walk down the aisle, I have held their babies, and have stood
in the audience and tearfully cheered with pride as they achieve their dreams. This is without a doubt the greatest reward of
my job. This brings me joy.
For us to do this, we, as
teachers must all rediscover our own passions and allow them to be a guiding
force in our classrooms, creating for our students a place where they can
discover their own. As this year comes to an end, I look to the possibilities
that lie ahead, and I challenge myself to create a classroom environment where
all of this is possible. And while I’ll
always look forward to 3:10, this process of self-reflection and introspection
has shown me that, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, “if I should ever go
looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further,” than my
classroom walls.
Perfect. As the speech coach in our high school, these words resonated with me. It's as if I wrote them myself. Thanks
ReplyDeleteKatie, I hope you feel good about what you shared above because the theatre truly does bring out the best in our students. I have seen you work your "magic" with kids who may not have found their place or felt connected without your guidance, support, and love. You have not only created a better community, you have created a second family for hundreds of students during your tenure at BHS. Your passion for the fine arts carries over to your classroom & fosters an environment where every student has an opportunity to live our his/her dreams. Well done! - jimmy
ReplyDeleteKatie
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this. Anyone who observes your interactions with the students know that the theater is where your heart is happiest. Thank you for all you do for our students - in and out of the classroom. Joy
Katie, I appreciate the passion, dedication and joy you get from theatre and the way you pass that on to your students. You have nailed it--theatre "kids" come from all walks of life and backgrounds and I love the acceptance they feel in your program. Thanks! ~Amy
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