Teaching is a performing art. Like a performer, a teacher is on stage in front of an audience. The audience is made up of     people with     varying      degrees of    attention,    interest or involvement.

In order for the teacher to be effective, she or he   must be able to     keep material fresh and energized even if the material     (subject matter)     has been     used before and is no longer exciting for the teacher/performer.

Also, the teacher/performer must be able to treat each new class or new audience as “first nighters.” That is how Broadway performers are able to put on 8 shows a week, sometimes for years, and still know that each audience is getting the best possible experience. Because for the people in any audience, it is first night for them!

By adapting some of the  Improve theatre  principals, K-12 educators can change their own energy and outlook while recharging the students. Think of a teacher that had a large impact on you. Generally, what makes that teacher memorable is the way they were “somehow larger than life.”

Here are a few ways to incorporate the Improve attitude into your professional persona:
1. Find out from colleagues, friends and family what is memorable/attractive about your personality. Incorporate that information into your professional life.

2. Learn and practice simple improve games. Play them with friends and family. This will enable you to become more spontaneous because you will be practicing spontaneity!

4. Act on things you can control and let go of things you can’t control outside of the classroom. When you are in front of the class, you are most effective if you are truly and wholly there. Thinking or worrying about things that have happened or might happen in the future take you away for your audience and away form your stage. Remember. it’s always “first night” in some way.

By: CHARINA C. DIZON | T-I | Mariveles NHS Poblacion Mariveles, Bataan