I aim to create, facilitate, and foster an artistic classroom that challenges its community members to engage in the art of theatre and literature, under the guidance of the head, heart, and hands. This pedagogical belief and practice, created by Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, implores the use of all three human body elements to engage in critical thinking, emotional knowing and reflection, resulting in action. Students will explore what it means to bring their full self into their craft, utilizing their understanding of self and the world to inform their ability to grasp the content and thoughtfully reflect on the complexities and nuances of the stories being told. During the final dress rehearsal for She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen, I sat in the auditorium as I watched twenty high school students tackle a show that dealt with grief, gender, sexuality, and the game Dungeons and Dragons. It was an emotional show, at times very funny, physically demanding with sword fights and dance breaks, and incredibly complex in its handling of the two main characters. I watched with the realization that young people are seeking opportunities to explore the lives they are living through the content and material that is being taught to them in the classroom and on stage. I can remember many times when I sat at my desk in school feeling so disconnected from the material being taught to us. Here we all sat, while the world outside of the classroom was changing incredibly fast, breaking new boundaries, defining history, and reckoning with our past. With the belief that the arts act as a mirror and window into experiences felt and discovered, I am steadfast in the commitment and intentionality of providing course material and subject focuses that confront and grapple with the truths of our various lived experiences and the current state of our world. I believe the classroom should be an honest reflection and representation of the world we are living in, therefore all work being investigated and presented through my classroom uplifts, centers, celebrates, and values diverse experiences, voices, and stories.

When I first started teaching, I was asked quite often “How are you so happy all the time?”. I imagine this is due to my ever present smile, my boisterous voice, and the ability to never stand in one place for too long. It is true, I do all of these things probably every day. I can’t help it! I know that school can be a challenge, and learning can be extremely disheartening, so I have made it a priority that my classroom be a space filled with love. I want students to smile with me, to laugh with each other, and to feel as though this class can be a deep cleansing breath in their day, and a break from the rigorous classroom environment. I am mindful of the energy I bring into my classrooms and use my energy to bring out the energy in others.