Task 2D Inquiry
Before tackling the questions by just simply writing my answers, I first made a mind map for all of the questions and my thoughts and answers for all of them. I found some of the questions quite difficult to answer, even with referring to my journal to try to find thoughts that might help with my answers.
What in your daily practice gets you really enthusiastic to find out more about? Who do you admire who also works with what makes you enthusiastic?
The main aspect of teaching that makes me really enthusiastic is the rewarding nature of the job. It is not the feeling of being rewarded that I like, but the things I see that give me that feeling. When I see improvement in pupils from week to week, seeing them enjoy themselves, ask questions because they want to know more and also the comments from children, when they say how much fun they are having and how much they enjoy themselves. This makes me feel that all the lesson planning, choreography, hours of studying and training have all been worthwhile. This then makes me feel even more enthusiastic to continue to work hard, improve as a teacher and to continue to do my utmost to ensure all my pupils have a great experience in my classes.
I do not tend to look to celebrities or people I can find in books or on the internet to find inspiration. Instead the people who I admire are the people I know personally or professionally. I have so many teachers that I have worked with whom I admire. My very first dance teacher, my Jazz teacher in college who pushed me to achieve the best I possibly could, my choreographer on my first contract. All these people taught because they loved to do so and because they loved to see the end results after all the hours of hard work.
What gets you angry or makes you sad? Who do you admire who shares your feelings or has found a way to work around the sadness or anger?
I found this question very difficult. I honestly can't think of anything that makes me really angry or sad. I obviously get a little annoyed when children don't listen or if they are noisy or don't behave. But that is a part of working with children and I think this is where reflection-in-action comes in. Instead of getting angry or annoyed, I calmly come up with a way of dealing with this without letting it get to me.
What do you love about what you do? Who do you admire who seems to love this or is an example of what you love?
The answer to this question is mainly the same as the first question. I love seeing the enjoyment and improvement in my pupils and this also makes me enthusiastic. Another aspect of teaching that I love is that, even though I am not performing or dancing as full out as I would usually have done when I was training or working, I love that i still get to dance! This was a passion of mine from the age of three and I am so happy that it is sill a part of my life to this day.
Again, like the first question I only tend to look to people I know. All my teaching friends and dancing friends I admire. I admire all their talents and I love seeing them all teach or dance.
What do you feel you don't understand? Who do you admire who does seem to understand it or who has found a way of making not understanding it interesting or beautiful, or has asked the same questions as you?
I honestly can say I have no idea how to answer this question! Although I feel as though you can always learn and grow in any career and you will never know everything, I can't really pick out anything in specific that I don't understand. I looked through my journal and specifically went to my entries where I was talking about teaching and I hadn't wrote about not being able to understand things. I will continue to think about tis question.
How do you decide the appropriate ethical response in a given situation? To what extent are disciplinary responses different to that you might expect more generally in society?
There are many ethical considerations you must think of when working with children and especially in the environment of a dance studio. Also with the use of social media, it is very important to be aware of ethical considerations. My responses to children mainly differs depending on the age group of the children. With younger children I would be more animated, use lots of motivational techniques, such as imagery and the use of props and I would explain things very thoroughly. As a dance teacher, sometimes it is necessary to move the child, I think this is very important, as if a child is doing something wrong this can cause injuries or problems as they get older. Sometimes the easiest way would be to move the child. At all the schools I teach at we make sure the parents are aware that this might be necessary, which they are all fine with. With my younger pupils I make sure I explain what I am doing; for example I would say 'I am just going to move your arm so it is in the right position'. With the older pupils, as they have been in this environment for a longer time, they would expect this more. I would be more strict and speak to older students more sternly.
Another ethical consideration for teaching is disclosing information. I make sure I am very careful not to disclose when and where classes are held on social media. I also never write any status' about my work or classes, especially anything negative. If there are any photos that I would like to post I make sure that permission is gained first.
What in your daily practice gets you really enthusiastic to find out more about? Who do you admire who also works with what makes you enthusiastic?
The main aspect of teaching that makes me really enthusiastic is the rewarding nature of the job. It is not the feeling of being rewarded that I like, but the things I see that give me that feeling. When I see improvement in pupils from week to week, seeing them enjoy themselves, ask questions because they want to know more and also the comments from children, when they say how much fun they are having and how much they enjoy themselves. This makes me feel that all the lesson planning, choreography, hours of studying and training have all been worthwhile. This then makes me feel even more enthusiastic to continue to work hard, improve as a teacher and to continue to do my utmost to ensure all my pupils have a great experience in my classes.
I do not tend to look to celebrities or people I can find in books or on the internet to find inspiration. Instead the people who I admire are the people I know personally or professionally. I have so many teachers that I have worked with whom I admire. My very first dance teacher, my Jazz teacher in college who pushed me to achieve the best I possibly could, my choreographer on my first contract. All these people taught because they loved to do so and because they loved to see the end results after all the hours of hard work.
What gets you angry or makes you sad? Who do you admire who shares your feelings or has found a way to work around the sadness or anger?
I found this question very difficult. I honestly can't think of anything that makes me really angry or sad. I obviously get a little annoyed when children don't listen or if they are noisy or don't behave. But that is a part of working with children and I think this is where reflection-in-action comes in. Instead of getting angry or annoyed, I calmly come up with a way of dealing with this without letting it get to me.
What do you love about what you do? Who do you admire who seems to love this or is an example of what you love?
The answer to this question is mainly the same as the first question. I love seeing the enjoyment and improvement in my pupils and this also makes me enthusiastic. Another aspect of teaching that I love is that, even though I am not performing or dancing as full out as I would usually have done when I was training or working, I love that i still get to dance! This was a passion of mine from the age of three and I am so happy that it is sill a part of my life to this day.
Again, like the first question I only tend to look to people I know. All my teaching friends and dancing friends I admire. I admire all their talents and I love seeing them all teach or dance.
I honestly can say I have no idea how to answer this question! Although I feel as though you can always learn and grow in any career and you will never know everything, I can't really pick out anything in specific that I don't understand. I looked through my journal and specifically went to my entries where I was talking about teaching and I hadn't wrote about not being able to understand things. I will continue to think about tis question.
How do you decide the appropriate ethical response in a given situation? To what extent are disciplinary responses different to that you might expect more generally in society?
There are many ethical considerations you must think of when working with children and especially in the environment of a dance studio. Also with the use of social media, it is very important to be aware of ethical considerations. My responses to children mainly differs depending on the age group of the children. With younger children I would be more animated, use lots of motivational techniques, such as imagery and the use of props and I would explain things very thoroughly. As a dance teacher, sometimes it is necessary to move the child, I think this is very important, as if a child is doing something wrong this can cause injuries or problems as they get older. Sometimes the easiest way would be to move the child. At all the schools I teach at we make sure the parents are aware that this might be necessary, which they are all fine with. With my younger pupils I make sure I explain what I am doing; for example I would say 'I am just going to move your arm so it is in the right position'. With the older pupils, as they have been in this environment for a longer time, they would expect this more. I would be more strict and speak to older students more sternly.
Another ethical consideration for teaching is disclosing information. I make sure I am very careful not to disclose when and where classes are held on social media. I also never write any status' about my work or classes, especially anything negative. If there are any photos that I would like to post I make sure that permission is gained first.
Hi Emily
ReplyDeleteI found my head nodding in agreement with your comments about different teaching techniques and how you demonstrate them. It is fundamental that we remember all our skills and adapt to each different environment we are in. Helping to teach, re-enforce and also encourage brave choices.
Like Amanda I was nodding in agreement, when you can visibly see your teaching having a positive impact it is so rewarding anything that has annoyed me is wiped straight away and forgotten about.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was considering what I don't understand I was looking at a different part of my practice when teaching in an education setting which is still unknown to me. On the other hand, when we are teaching dance, something have put into practice ourselves, so when we are teaching dance it is more comfortable. The aspects we may not understand are presented in the moment, that is where we 'reflect-in-action' and learn as we go.