Knowing what you know

Having had a crazy and unexpected week, I am now fully back in MA mode and at one with my computer.

My CV has been dissected, and I am working with my Job Description.

I have much to reflect about in my journal, but want to blitz my JD first so I can get to the nitty-gritty of my areas of learning.

I do have a bit of a dilemma though.... I kind of, sort of, want to dare to say that I really do know what I have learned and therefore what I know, but that totally freaks me out as I might be missing the point.

I am sure there is a middle ground - maybe I do have a superficial knowledge of what I have learned, and with more digging I will be properly enlightened, so I will dig deep and see where this takes me.

Working on my CV has made me realise that I have had several 'careers' - as a performer, assistant choreographer, choreographer, director, teacher, leader and manager and sometimes they all blend into one and I find myself reviving skills from one career to bring to another.

A question just popped into my head actually.  'What would you call yourself if someone asked?'  (Strictly in terms of career you understand, as I could not publish some of the things I would call myself in life!)

I cannot answer that at this moment, but will work on it.  It might lead me some way towards really identifying what I did, what I can do, and what I do at the moment.

Here's hoping!

Janet

Being a pupil, not a teacher

I attended a Pilates class today... really needed to do something for my own body as training other bodies does not really help my ageing physique!  I coped fine with the class, despite the lack of air - it was really hot and airless in the studio, and the fact that there were major problems with the sound system.  People kept coming in and out, and we did most of the class to either no music, or to very quiet music from a tiny portable cd player.  None of this really affected me or the class as everyone was there to work for themselves and could see that there was little the teacher could do about it.

As I am constantly thinking about my teaching, I took the time to interpret the class I was attending, and learned the following:

Clarity is key - I sometimes change my exercises whilst setting them.  If I do this I always go back and recap... and I always make sure I explain how to do something if I am introducing new vocabulary.

This teacher did not describe the exercises in any detail, and beginners in the class, and there were several, would have been lost.  She also did random amounts of repetitions, so it was not that balanced. I am experienced in the subject so knew what I should be feeling but I am sure the several newcomers to the class were lost as there was so little 'how to'.  She seemed to expect everyone to understand what she wanted, what muscles should be working and how to engage them.

I teach a range of ability in my classes so always ensure everyone is aware of the how to - recapping for the more experienced and explaining for the less so.

She did offer different levels within the exercises, which was a strong feature of the class, and I am having to do this a lot at the moment, especially in my pointe work classes.    To me, it makes total sense to offer alternatives if it is clear that there is a wide range of ability in the class.  You do of course have to hope that the student will make the choice that is challenging to them, working to their maximum, but I have to let them make these choices as a part of their learning - when they are professionals they will have to make choices all the time, such as in open classes.  

I do have the opportunity to suggest that they may be ready for the next level, but with pointe work at the moment, I am being sensitive as most of them have not done much and I want them to be confident.  I offer such suggestions with thought.

My overriding learning was that I must always ensure that students leave my lesson with clear knowledge of what they did, how to do what they did correctly and what they are doing it for.  I am not sure that the Pilates teacher today did this - she could easily have asked at the end if anyone had any questions but chose not to.

I worked myself to my maximum and got what I needed from the lesson.  My students may not know how to do this yet so I must ensure that all needs are met.

Expanding my CV

Expanding my CV, so far, has taught me things I did not expect to learn but emotionally I am bit all over the place due to having to revisit some painful moments.

I have learned so much in the last 16 years, and have also encountered some difficult scenarios.  I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger but reflecting on some of my most profound learning also requires revisiting events that were less than perfect and which affected me quite profoundly.

On a positive note I have also recognised that I have acquired lots of new skills over the years, and that is rewarding.  

My training at Bush Davies was fantastic. I learned discipline, organisation, to be determined, and time management, amongst many other physical and technical skills, all of which are required for the work I do now.  Maybe I would never have gone on to learn about Quality Assurance, Reflective Practice, and all the elements that make up my current job if I had not had those basic skills entrenched in my early learning.

I am aware that I am becoming overly reflective - already.... and need to monitor this so that I do not analyse myself into oblivion.... but at the same time I might be able to allow myself a small moment to celebrate the journey so far... once again balance in all things... and no, I am not Libra.. Leo through and through...

Time to switch off now.  Have a good weekend.

Janet 

Why what a week?

Hello all.

I hope you are all having a good start to the MAPP.

I blogged what a week because, as is always the way, the first week on the MAPP turned out to be an eventful one, within my career at the college where I teach, my career outside college and my social life.

I don't know about you, but I have to reign myself in sometimes.  When I get busy I start to run on adrenalin and this can cause all sorts of problems.  I would love to know how to control this as it is totally exhausting and sometimes counter-productive.  At least I am aware of it.  I had a long sleep last night which has helped a bit. 

I know organisation and balance is key - and I can relate to how my students feel at times when the workload is heavy.

So, I am going to plan ahead with care, and possibly cut down on the caffeine (again) as my intake has increased due to all sorts of reasons and try and find some space for nothing... always a tough one.

Any suggestions welcomed outside the obvious ones listed above....have a good week everyone.   I am enjoying being a part of this journey and look forward to reading your entries,

Janet