Module One Reflection Feedback from Adesola

I was told by Adesola to write my response on the feedback for the previous module and what I learnt from the feedback that Paula had given me. I tried to write as honestly as I could and discussed my strengths and weaknesses from the previous module. I talked about the fact that I had now found my topic of interest and was in actual fact realising what my topic was as I was writing Module One. The question I want to ask and explore is simply:

How can the Creative Arts benefit and impact a child’s education?

What was interesting was the fact that Adesola asked me some specific questions, such as; what is Creativity? What do we mean by Creative Arts? Are there any ways in which the Creative Arts is potentially not very creative? More interestingly, she explained that these were not necessarily questions that needed to be answered, but instead thought reflected upon.

I also talked about the fact that my work needs to be a lot more structured in format and that I need to be much more specific about what I’m trying to achieve and ask myself. I’m starting to realise that this seems to go hand in hand, because the more specific I become, the more I will begin to delve deeper into my topic question.

I am so pleased that I have found my chosen topic relatively easily and with my new responsibility of not only cover teaching, but also undertaking Music and Drama each week, I have so many opportunities to truly see how the Arts can benefit Education. This new job role has without a doubt provided me with opportunities where I can truly see a difference that the Arts can have and have been keeping note in my reflective journal each week about my findings and discoveries.

I found Adesola’s feedback incredibly useful, informing me about particular practitioners to look into, including Ken Robinson, a practitioner who has researched extensively into the Education system and how it operates, as well as researching children’s use of imagination. I am finding his research incredibly interesting and have started my Literature review on his findings as well as those of other practitioners, which Adesola has now encouraged me to do.

Let's make this place Sparkle. Let's make Art.

Before the end of the term at my Primary school, the school itself took on a massive shift. The head teacher had left and in his place was a temporary head to fill that space. Whilst I saw the new Head's view of discipline and attempt at controlling behaviour, I was also introduced to another person from the school association who was planning on taking over the school starting from September.

When I met her I instantly liked her. She was full of life and kept joking about how she kept seeing me everywhere! She is already the Head of two outstanding schools and by the end of the term, it was time to find out where she had placed us teachers and assistants. 

She said to me, 'Emma, I'd like a chat with you in private about your position within this school.' I was nervous at first, as it sounded bad! She took me into the school hall and told me, 'I want to put you in a brand new team. I want to make you part of the new PPA team and to take charge of Creative Arts cover, firstly teaching children music alongside another teacher.' I was stunned. And excited! She was trusting me with something new and fresh. She told me I was secondarily be with year 6, which would be a challenge in itself, but she told me, 'the main thing I want you to do, is to make this place sparkle.'

This week was the first week back and I have been up to my eyeballs in several jobs. I've been put in charge of Accelerated Reader, a new programme which will accurately analyse children's reading levels to aid their progression, as well as creating cursive handwriting displays, copying, sticking  and laminating every letter of the alphabet and now, creating lesson plans for both Music and Drama. 

I remember saying to the Head, 'but I don't play a musical instrument!' She replied, 'you don't have to. It just needs to be fun.'

(I knew I liked her!)

She recently pulled me in on the School INSET Day and asked me, 'if you're willing, I would very much like to fastrack you to becoming a teacher. It will cost the school money, but I want to do it.'

I said,' there's only one problem with that.' She asked me what it was. I said, 'I need to get my degree first!'

A little while ago I also got talking to the Director of Education, which strangely happened outside the school toilets! It turned out, he was good friends with my old Commercials teacher at Drama School! What a small world it truly is. Ever since he knows me as, 'the Actress.' He encouraged me to look into teaching programmes within the school, becoming another person on the list to support my development.

It amazes me now to think that, eventually, I will be able to fulfil my dreams because someone believes in me and has seen my love for the Creative Arts. It's how people grow and she believes I can do it. And you can't have any opportunities like this unless a person truly believes in your talents. I can't help but feel as if more of this should be happening in the world. To not just go by experiences, but to also go by passion.

This reminds me why I am here. She's inspired me to inspire others.

I definitely like her. 

Let's make this place sparkle. And let's make Art.