And I'm in!

Well, they say that hard work reaps reward, and this has been harder than I thought, and all I have had to do so far is set up a blog! This does not bode well I fear!

Anyway, here I am, fashionably late as always but arriving in style and ready to party!

Getting on this course has been a journey in itself and I imagine the fun is only just beginning.  I am a grafter and have been completing qualifications in succession since I left school 20 years ago.  These range from ISTD qualifications, Trinity qualifications and public service awards.  I am keen to learn and love that I am able to do it on a completely alien platform to me.  (I'm inserting my apology here now, my incompetence with technology is going to drive everyone slightly doolally over the next two years.)

So why am I doing this? I am really keen to grow as a teacher and ensure that I am conducting myself in a manner that is appropriate for our profession.  I have been incredibly fortunate within my teaching experience that I was able to run my own dance school for 20 years.  This initially began as a school project which grew into a thriving studio.  Putting the onus on allowing students of all walks of life to access dance this was a venture I ran voluntarily.  This ensured I kept my overheads down and as a result, I have seen through a large contingent of one parent families and students in foster care come through my doors and out into the profession.  It was testing at times and at some points a financial struggle but I have reaped the rewards seeing students, who wouldn't have had this wonderful opportunity to express themselves through dance ordinarily, thrive. Due to having my own baby two and a half years ago I have now handed over the reins to someone more business minded and just teach for them now.  The day to day running of the school was no longer conducive to the direction in which my life is moving. 

I now teach full time in a secondary school and am hoping the completion of this degree will allow me to further my career within this type of institution.  I am currently teaching as an unqualified teacher and this does not sit well with me.  If I do a job, I insist on doing it properly.  It is important to me that I show my students that you are never too old to learn and that it is important to embrace the opportunities that you are given at any given time.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing and if I could go back in time I would have worked harder at college and have gone to university at the age of 18.  However, I am able to draw on this experience to guide the students I work with now.  It is also important to me to guide my daughter and show her that hard work is essential if you want to achieve in life.

I have been so fortunate to have been taught by some amazing tutor's over the years as well as attending many courses to build on my wealth of knowledge.  I am not overly flexible or what you would define as a natural dancer.  I have passion though, which is essential in dance but have found my niche within the academic side.  I am very much looking forward to learning with new people whose extensive knowledge and guidance can move me in my next direction.

I look forward to working with you all.

Comments

  1. Amanda18 January 2019 at 07:25

    Hi
    I am a returning student after taking a study break and have been catching up with all the blogs. I found yours really interesting as I have self generated a lot of work throughout my career and have needed to be teacher, participant and now student again. My first blog took a while to set up too but I found them to be very invaluable - as they connect us all and make us realise we are not alone.

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