Task 3A Current Networks
The importance of networking was constantly stressed to myself and my peers during our time training at The Hammond. They told us how important it was to get to know other performers, to take classes, to put yourselves out there on social media and to email after auditions.
A phrase that came up a lot when I as training, when I meet people at auditions or classes and it even came up during my Skype call with Paula, Kirsty and Jessica was;
For this task I will be referring to my networking that helps me with my teaching.
What are the current and different ways (tools) that you have, or do, engage your professional network?
The current tools I use to network range from more modern ways, such as using my phone and social media, to going to classes and physically meeting people and being put in touch with people in my network by word of mouth (through other teachers and friends in my network). I much prefer the face to face ways of networking, however I recognise the importance of technology and how important social media can be for networking. I often find myself recommending friends for work and I also know they do the same, and by doing this, this expands our networks.
Are there methods, approaches and technologies that you use socially that might apply and help you develop your professional networking?
The use of Facebook is something that I am using more and more for my networking. I am now a member of a few different groups on Facebook that are specifically aimed at dance teachers in my area. I also have around 20-30 friends on Facebook who are all teachers in my area who also post about teaching work. Through my friends and the groups I am apart of, this has helped me find more work. I aim to continue doing this and to hopefully get my name out in the dance teaching world in my area to hopefully bring even more teaching work in.
Something I can do to develop my networking, is to advertise myself more, as I like to be a very private person on social media I tend not to post much, however I could engage with people more to show my interest.
When you reflect upon current networks, can you think about the motives of others to be in the network and what values they have in mind?
What wold your ideal network look like and why?
In all honestly I am finding they question hard to approach. I am not sure you will ever get the 'perfect' network, as this is out of your control. As network relies on the interaction of other people as well as yourselves, you have to be sure that other people in your network will be as committed as you are. My ideal network would consist not only of social media, but also face to face networking with other dance teachers and people who are interested in going down the same path as myself.
What realistic things could you do to work towards developing your ideal network?
I need to start engaging more with people. I could get in touch with dance schools in the area and advertise myself to them, saying I am available for work. I could let people I already know that if they hear of any work to be sure to let me know or to put me forward. I would also like to start attending some ISTD workshop days, this will mean I will be meeting and interacting with other people with the same interests as myself. Something else I could also start to do is to interact with people I know who are already more established to find out the best ways to achieve this.
What tools and methods do you need to use?
The main tools I need to use to help me achieve this would be a good Teaching CV (I plan to improve my CV and the CV I created as a task for Reader 1 I intend to use a template for my new Teaching CV) I also need new headshots, although dance teaching jobs do not always require a headshot, it is always good to have a current headshot handy if necessary. I feel like I have a good knowledge of my current network, however, as I have said in previous blogs I feel that you will never know everything and there is always something that can be learned. As time goes by I know my network will gradually change, as I hope to go on to a PGCE to become a primary teacher, when this happens I will need to educate myself on and ask other people in the same network advice on this.
A phrase that came up a lot when I as training, when I meet people at auditions or classes and it even came up during my Skype call with Paula, Kirsty and Jessica was;
'It's not what you know, it's who you know'
For this task I will be referring to my networking that helps me with my teaching.
What are the current and different ways (tools) that you have, or do, engage your professional network?
The current tools I use to network range from more modern ways, such as using my phone and social media, to going to classes and physically meeting people and being put in touch with people in my network by word of mouth (through other teachers and friends in my network). I much prefer the face to face ways of networking, however I recognise the importance of technology and how important social media can be for networking. I often find myself recommending friends for work and I also know they do the same, and by doing this, this expands our networks.
Are there methods, approaches and technologies that you use socially that might apply and help you develop your professional networking?
The use of Facebook is something that I am using more and more for my networking. I am now a member of a few different groups on Facebook that are specifically aimed at dance teachers in my area. I also have around 20-30 friends on Facebook who are all teachers in my area who also post about teaching work. Through my friends and the groups I am apart of, this has helped me find more work. I aim to continue doing this and to hopefully get my name out in the dance teaching world in my area to hopefully bring even more teaching work in.
Something I can do to develop my networking, is to advertise myself more, as I like to be a very private person on social media I tend not to post much, however I could engage with people more to show my interest.
When you reflect upon current networks, can you think about the motives of others to be in the network and what values they have in mind?
- Their are many incentives for people to be in the same or similar networks as myself.
- To hear about work and any teaching jobs, vacancies, cover work etc.
- To get their name out there - advertise themselves.
- To meet other people in the same field with similar interests.
- To discuss aspects of their practice with others.
- To be kept 'in the loop'.
What wold your ideal network look like and why?
In all honestly I am finding they question hard to approach. I am not sure you will ever get the 'perfect' network, as this is out of your control. As network relies on the interaction of other people as well as yourselves, you have to be sure that other people in your network will be as committed as you are. My ideal network would consist not only of social media, but also face to face networking with other dance teachers and people who are interested in going down the same path as myself.
What realistic things could you do to work towards developing your ideal network?
I need to start engaging more with people. I could get in touch with dance schools in the area and advertise myself to them, saying I am available for work. I could let people I already know that if they hear of any work to be sure to let me know or to put me forward. I would also like to start attending some ISTD workshop days, this will mean I will be meeting and interacting with other people with the same interests as myself. Something else I could also start to do is to interact with people I know who are already more established to find out the best ways to achieve this.
What tools and methods do you need to use?
The main tools I need to use to help me achieve this would be a good Teaching CV (I plan to improve my CV and the CV I created as a task for Reader 1 I intend to use a template for my new Teaching CV) I also need new headshots, although dance teaching jobs do not always require a headshot, it is always good to have a current headshot handy if necessary. I feel like I have a good knowledge of my current network, however, as I have said in previous blogs I feel that you will never know everything and there is always something that can be learned. As time goes by I know my network will gradually change, as I hope to go on to a PGCE to become a primary teacher, when this happens I will need to educate myself on and ask other people in the same network advice on this.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteWe have so much in common! I am also aiming to become a Primary teacher and undertake a PGCE too but instead come from a Drama background. I have already found that since working in a school the communities of my practice have changed from the actors and employers, to teachers and colleagues. So far one teacher has offered to chat with me about the different routes into teaching that will benefit me which means that I have been able to already grow a network and develop a connection that can help me to grow my career. What made you want to become a Primary teacher? How do you think your training helps this?
Emma
Hi Emma,
DeleteIts great to hear from someone in a similar situation to myself!
I think having background in performing, whether t be dance or drama makes us perfect candidates for teaching positions. The confidence we gain and the ability to be so animated especially helps when teaching younger children.
Are you currently working in a primary school? I am only working as a teachers in dance schools at the moment, in two weeks I am starting teaching dance in after school clubs in High Schools and Primary Schools, but ideally I would like to get a teaching assistant position to 'get on the ladder' and to meet people in schools, which will hopefully expand my network in this area!
I love teaching dance classes and I love working with children, I always said I never wanted to go into teaching when I was younger, but as I got older I realised that it was something I really enjoyed and was a natural progression for me after I finished performing.
What about you? Is this something you always saw yourself going into?
Emily