When I was in elementary my teachers always asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. I never knew what I wanted to do. I never had a specific path I wanted to follow, and I still feel like I don’t necessarily know what I want to do for the rest of my life. I mean, I’ve always known I was creative, but I definitely have a number of passions.
When I was in grade two my options were to be a hairstylist, to be a cashier at a grocery store (not even joking, I really wanted to scan shit) and to be a teacher.
In grade three I moved schools and didn’t really make many friends. So, I used to ask my teacher if I could stay in during recess and help her by correcting other students homework. (We used to have answer guides, so it wasn’t like it was actually important work.) But that’s how I used to spend most of my “free time”.
In grade 10 we had “bring your child to work day” and since I didn’t want to go to my dad’s work place (as I had worked at his store plenty of times and I actually had a job at another location), I decided to TA for a grade 4 class. I compiled a day plan and taught a few courses, which ended up being pretty darn awesome. I then got a job tutoring elementary students on the recorder. (Oddly enough, these are all memories I haven’t thought about in a long while.)
Later, when I got out of college I began teaching theatre crash courses. Classes on creation and bringing different art forms into theatre (such as music, projections, dance, etc.) But that quickly ended as every space that I worked with later hired larger companies to take over because… well… grants.
Which brings me to today. I’m teaching steadily again. This time regarding Creative Writing & Play Development. Finding spaces that need the extra hand sparking the creative juices. I was thinking about how weird it was that I’m teaching. Like it was something that came out of the blue, but I really think it’s been there all along.
I used to teach private piano lessons. I used to teach music theory. I actually really enjoy it. I love seeing my students “Aha! Moments,” especially when it comes to writing.
I think that’s why one of my favourite things to do is dramaturg plays. I love figuring out why pieces aren’t working and coming up with creative solutions to solve them. I love playing with structure and turning things upside down. I love solving puzzles, it’s fucking awesome. And I just love creating in general, I guess that’s why this class has been so awesome for me.
I get to see people who wouldn’t normally be writing explore a form that they’re not used to. I get to see them practising an art that they didn’t have the means to. I want to create more spaces for creative folks who aren’t looking to write for a living but to write because they have a passion. That’s what really interests me. When people do things because they really want to.
I know I’ve said it before, but I’m really realising what makes me happy. I really enjoy supporting other’s work. It’s kind of freeing and inspiring. I hope that this time it stays steady because it’s really making me happy.
Thanks for letting your passion speak! As a retired teacher I can see that you are already a teacher. We used to say in staff discussions that if you weren’t a teacher before you become a teacher you will never be effective. What you shared rings true! Seeing growth in others feeds our own sense of satisfaction with pursuing a personal journey of awareness and awe of those around us.
Absolutely. I feel like teaching takes years of practice and that you really, really need to shape your courses around who is in your class vs. how you would “normally do it.” Everyone has different passions and everyone learns so differently, and that’s been one of the most fun challenges!