Task 2d – Things I love (fifth instalment of task)

Task 2d seemed huge to me and once I started writing I did not stop.  As a result I have made the decision to post the answers to the questions posed in the task in instalments in the hope they will be more manageable to all.  In each post I will specify the question(s) tackled.

Questions I will attempt to answer in this blog:

• What do you love about what you do?
• Who do you admire who also seems to love this or is an example of what you love?

I am fortunate enough to be able to say I absolutely love every aspect of my job. I have always loved my job, although admittedly to varying degrees over the years. Moving abroad was the best thing I have done and I wish I'd done it years ago, although the challenges of living in a Communist Country are vast I am at a great school and love every day. I feel challenged here, and that I am able to move forwards with my career. I love the difference that I can make to a student's day, and the difference that they can make to mine. I love that I never stop learning, and that no two classes will ever be the same despite the words on the lesson plan.

I love that as part of my job I get to watch great choreography and see dancers with beautiful line, extension and unfaultable technique perform.

I love the opportunities dance has given me. It has allowed me to make life long friends; to be a part of something; to travel the world; to never feel like I'm going to work even though I could have a full day of teaching, followed by a business meeting, followed by a trip to the theatre, followed by planning. It's allowed me to own my own business; to buy a house; and to achieve and excel in a way I would never have been able to academically.

In a classroom situation refection in action is most usual however below are some examples of reflection on action:

I pride myself on never letting something cross over into the next class. For example not allowing one classes behaviour to affect my behaviour with the following class. 

I also pride myself on my fairness. If, on reflection, I think I have been too harsh the previous week, I will apologise to the class and not just ignore it.

I expect the same high standards of myself as I expect from the children. If I have delivered a bad class/got results I am not happy with I do not just right it off and let it go, I look at why it went wrong and what I could do to improve upon subsequent lessons just as I would expect the children to in their practice.

In addition, I am never happy sitting still, always looking for ways to better and/or challenge myself. I am continuously thinking about CPD and what/where I would like to go next with my work. What will be beneficial all round. I have also always been supportive of my colleagues and contemporaries helping them in anyway I can.

I don't think you could be involved with something like dance without a genuine love. You certainly couldn't maintain a career. It is not a career of financial reward. All of my colleagues and contemporaries within the industry are admirable for many reasons. Some are just setting out on their own adventures and starting their own businesses, some are striving for better and not settling for what they've already had, some are furthering their qualifications and some continue to build upon the success they have had for years – none of them are happy sitting still in their profession.

Some people I admire hugely are:

The Principal of my vocational college. The woman amazes me. She finds time for everyone, is incredibly nurturing, and will help in whatever way she can. I have also never heard her raise her voice in 12 years. I could never have achieved what I have without her love, support and expertise. She is an example of how dance takes over your life, with little to no financial reward. She has sacrificed everything for her school. We have very different teaching styles, but I aspire to be as good as her.

A male friend who is the most gorgeous dancer I know. He worked on Cruise Ships for 8 years and is now trying to break into the West End. It is heartbreaking watching him get to the final of every audition just to lose out to someone else. He could easily take another job, but he has decided this is what he wants. His dedication and perseverance is admirable. I am incredibly proud of the him and the way he has chosen to follow his dream and he has helped me to realise mine.

A female friend who moved her life to another part of the UK, has found work as a dance teacher within an established school and set up her own school. She entered the complete unknown and gave up a good teaching job in a well established school for this. I think she was incredibly brave.

A teacher and friend of mine who truly believes in herself. She always seems so confident in everything. She undertakes a lot of CPD but doesn't feel the need to rise through the ranks in the qualification system within an awarding body any further than she already is. She knows what she stands for.

The Principal of my current school knows what she wants, what her school stands for and where she's taking it.  To her, it is not a business.  She will not be swayed by the parents or buckle under customer pressure.  She is strong in her beliefs and clear on her visions and if we are not the school for a certain child then "that's okay".  In addition she has set up this programme in a foreign county, having to abide by rules and regulations that are alien to her, dealing in a language she cannot speak.  I think she is incredibly courageous. 

All of these people have attributes that I admire, and have found strength to follow their dreams. Seeing their strength and struggles has allowed me to evaluate where I am in my development and where I want to be. They have given me strength and belief.