How Do You Do It - Hartford, CT

Richard J. Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts

I can not think of a better place to start off How do you do it!?

“The Richard J. Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts provides all students the opportunity to develop their skills through the performing arts. Preschoolers and Kindergarten students utilize Reggio Emilia guiding principles. This philosophy integrates graphic arts as a means to develop a child socially, linguistically and cognitively through a broad variety of hands-on experiences. As the students transition into the upper grades, learning continues through the integration of the performing arts in content areas. All students can experience playing a musical instrument, creation through statecraft arts, and content learning via drama, dance, and movement. This process fosters student problem solving and critical thinking skills, and encourages individual learning so that students arrive at conclusion independently.”

Talk about a dream school. Ms. Nario and Ms. Waniewski’s drama classroom is the perfect setting for young creative minds to grow.

SO much space!

I was inspired by Kinsella’s students and staff. It was an amazing opportunity to be able to work with and observe educators who believe in hands on learning and the power of the arts.

Day 1

In the northeast Sarbucks is SO not Dunkin Donuts. On our way to work Jennifer drove through so we could grab some coffee (and a donut, how could I resist) before we started our day. I spent my morning admiring the school, observing Jennifer’s second grade drama class, and preparing for my first workshop to be done with fifth and sixth graders in the morning and with seventh and eighth graders in the afternoon. When I say I was admiring the school I mean my jaw was at the floor. Kinsella is a BEAUTIFUL school.

About nine seventh and eighth graders joined me for the first workshop. Because we had a smaller group, we were able to open up more. I was impressed with their ability to share personal stories with their peers (a great feat if you remember middle school). A few of the students mentioned that break dancing motivated them to get out of bed in the morning because practicing gave them confidence and moving their bodies made them feel good about themselves. Some discovered break dancing on the street while others watched you tube videos. If you have ever seen anyone break dance you may have also found yourself wondering how do they do that!? It really does inspire you to try to move your body! Check out the boys in the bottom left corner!

One of my favorite moments in the seventh and eighth grade workshop was when the students discussed the definition of inspiration. We agreed that when you see something inspiring, you feel it. Moments that are inspiring often take our breath away. Because these moments move something inside of us - they make us want to take action.

The fifth and sixth grade class was significantly more populated than the seventh and eighth. Because of the size of the class and quite possibly also the age, this class was more reserved in their responses. We were still able to get past our words and onto our feet to do some image work.

Each class was successful. We all left with an experience. It was a good day.

Day 2

September 11th began with an assembly of remembrance. Ms. Nario's drama students created a performance, That Day. They did an amazing job adapting their piece with the playing space they were given. Originally the assembly was supposed to be outside, but was moved into the cafeteria due to weather and the fact that the ballet was performing that day in their black box.

I taught my final workshop in Hartford that afternoon with another large group of fifth and sixth graders. I changed some of my activities as I went and took a few risks of my own to see if I could modify what I had done the other day. Trial and error. The students were truly outstanding and followed all of my instructions, but I was not as pleased with the outcome. It didn't make as much sense as my original plan. I strayed farther from my goal than I would have liked. I am thankful that I had an opportunity to explore with them - it cleared up a few things for me and no harm was done in the process.

Thank you Hartford! Next stop NYC for the weekend.

Home Is Where the Hero Is

Today I took a break from school and met with my friends Dean and Kyle who live in Connecticut. It was wonderful to see them after being apart for so long. As we caught up, we shared stories about the challenges of relationships (especially long distance ones), unexpected occurrences, job searches, and life post graduation.

Our conversation got me thinking. All three of us ended up living at home after our time at NYU. Where some would consider going backwards after a large step such as college a negative movement, we considered it a positive. Going back made us stronger. We are lucky that we were able to go home before heading out into the ‘real world’. We talked about how nice it was to be able to bond with our families as adults. The time we had to observe our parents as workers and partners rather than just mom and dad was time well spent. Hopefully they appreciated our company just as much =)

When I was at Kinsella working with the fifth and sixth graders I had them share stories about someone who inspired them, all but two out of twenty mentioned a family member. It made me feel good to know that so many children have positive role models in their homes. It warmed my heart. Every family is unique (which you know if you are like me and addicted to the TV show Wife Swap) and I enjoyed hearing their stories. Hopefully at least one student went home and told their family member how important they are to them.

Has anyone in your family inspired you? How? What did they inspire you to do?

How do your family members motivate you?

Houston to Hartford

Mr. Darcy arrived at my doorstep this morning to escort me to the airport. Sean and I are notorious for our road trips and he has to get up early for work anyway so I figured it was more than appropriate that we take a mini trip to the airport to catch up. A good conversation with a close friend does wonders for you. After a drive through starbucks (Grande Mocha) and striping through security I am ready to enjoy my first Jet blue flight with my jet pass.

I am so glad I got to add Houston to the beginning of my travel plans. Not only did I have to bonus of seeing my Husband (and his new bat moblie the 2010 Camaro) but I also got to see my in-laws, their lake house, my parents, grandmothers, brothers, sister in law, and my ADORABLE niece and nephew, and of course Louie the dog and Nahweeta the cat.

Lake Livngston

Here is Chris' bat mobile

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Waiting in JFK at the gate for my flight to Boston. Cheers to small women in tall shoes carrying ridiculously large designer bags, fresh healthy food in an airport, copious outlets for tech savvy travelers, and recycling by the trash bins I LOVE NY.

delicious and nutritious

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Tonight after a bus ride I will be in Hartford CT staying with my adventurous friend Jennifer Nario, an artist and educator who currently teaches at a performing arts magnet school teaching preK -8^th grade drama. From the moment we met my freshman year, Jennifer has been telling me I need to be active and change the world. She seizes every opportunity that comes her way and is a truly inspirational woman.

Early Bird Gets the Husband

I have started my trip two days earlier than anticipated with the bonus of being able to see my husband for 24 hours! Chris has been away for three weeks attending training in AL and wont be home for another three (which is actually now two weeks before I will be home). I woke up at six this morning to make sure I was ready to go. I wanted to make sure I left the apartment perfect since Chris will be the next one coming home and he hasn’t seen all of the decorating I have done. Needless to say I was still doing dishes when Jen came to pick me up to go to the airport. I ended up leaving twenty something punch glasses clean in the dishwasher for Chris to do with them what he will. My parents recently visited and brought the rest of our belongings with them. Included was a punchbowl we inherited with twenty something glasses – we really need to host a party. We currently have more punch glasses than we do friends in Ohio, but that is what you get when you move somewhere new and hop right back onto a plane to go on adventures.

I don’t quite understand why I am on a delta plane when I booked my flight on the continental website, but I am trying to go with the flow. My first flight was delayed an hour AND I sat next to a baby. The baby however was adorable and I still made my connecting flight so all is well.

I would be lying if I said I knew exactly what I was doing. I know where I am going and I know what accomplishments I would like to make, but a most of what is to be learned on this trip is going to be up to the people I see along the way. I am confident that good will come of this.

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Delta wasn’t able to get my luggage onto the new flight so I didn’t get my bag until the next afternoon Bleh. I have now jammed all of my things into a carry on bag for easier travels… the smaller bag will hopefully help to squash my shopping infatuation as well =)

Paperless Trail

You cannot categorize journals as easily as you can computer files and piles of books take up space in a suitcase. This is why instead of carrying my plane, relationship, poetry, and work journals with me on this adventure I am wrapping them all into this blog … also the computer has spell check. Here is where I will document my travels and teaching. Thank you for your support. Enjoy and comment freely.

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After unpacking I realized that I still managed to pack four journals. Obviously the way to this teachers heart is through stationary.

How I am doing it

I love exploring ideas with others. In college, I participated in creative lesson plans and interactive workshops that made me drop my boundaries and pick up a passion for dialogue (written, physical, and verbal). These experiences brought me closer with my community by providing a safe space to be open and honest. I treasure the conversations brought up in educational theatre work and always appreciate it when someone is ready to share a thought. To be a successful teacher, more important than knowing how to speak, is knowing how to listen. I have learned that to be a teacher you must always be a student. That is why during this project I am a student to my participants while remaining the facilitator. I do not have all the answers. I am not about to tell anyone how to run his or her life. I am truly curious about how on earth people get things done. I am excited that the outcome of this experience may be that some people are able to able to open up to one another to start a conversation; this is one of my motivations.

I am fortunate to have many inspirational people in my life who encourage me to push myself. People who value education and learning through experience. Their support motivates me to take risks I would otherwise avoid. “Let go what are you holding onto” has been echoing in my head since middle school after a drama camp director explained to us the importance of freeing yourself while taking the stage. In my life there has been more to be gained by opening up than holding back. I have a history of taking leaps rather than small steps to get places. Attending classes or camps where I didn’t know anyone, moving to NYC, and creating a workshop that I can take all over the country are big examples. I don’t even like to make multiple trips to bring groceries inside – I’d rather carry the weight all at once and get to business putting things away and dealing with the details inside (drives Chris crazy). I do these things to challenge myself. It would not be hard for me to sit on the couch all day with a bag and popcorn and a remote. Its been done before. Ask any of my childhood friends and they will tell you that I was active, but always too timid to ask for help in a store. Calling to order a pizza over the phone or dancing in public outside of a choreographed routine– absolutely out of the question (my siblings may inform you that I was loud and obnoxious; because I was. As far as I am concerned that is part of the job description of being the youngest).

I got over my insecurities and shyness thanks to drama teachers who dragged myself out of myself. I found my confidence through the courage of characters and positive reinforcement. They helped me to realize how fun facing fear can be. There is nothing more terrifying than walking onto a stage. I am inspired by people’s abilities to take risk – this is why I admire actors. You may think they are hiding by playing others, but really they are exposing a great deal about themselves. What is the result? Theatre makes people think and it makes them feel. To be in a room with people who have a passion strong enough to take the risk of total exposure – wow- it’s inspiring. If they can do it in front of an audience I don’t understand why I would need to hold myself back in my daily life. It’s all about putting your self out there. After experiencing drama on stage, I was able to carry it over into my normal routine. It is impossible to experience the excitement of drama by shutting down.

Teachers take this same risk getting up in front of a classroom of students. Actually, their risk is greater. As a teacher you may have a script to follow put in place by the education powers that be, but you never know what direction the students are going to take you in. ‘Yo miss what happens if you take seven Tylenlol’? Yikes – how do you respond to that?

I first had the idea to create this workshop when I learned that my husband would be away for six weeks of training. How lucky. He spends four/five years at the academy, gets sixty days of paid leave, AND before he starts work gets a six-week refresher course of everything he learned. We just moved to Ohio and had not yet settled into a routine. I found myself frantically wondering ‘well what the heck am I going to do alone for six weeks in a strange place!?’. I was also trying to figure out my next career move. Acting? Substituting? Volunteering? Should I get involved with an education program at a local theatre or with a theatre program at a local school? I wish I could get a refresher course of my major – ah process drama and theatre games. Joy. I would count my time at the Alley as a refresher, but honestly my experience there was full of all sorts of new learning moments (shout out to Joe, Rochelle, Rob, and Dorcas for all of their patience and support). While watching The View one morning I heard them announce that JetBlue Airlines was offering a jet pass for a month of unlimited travel. AMAZING. This is when the stars really began to align for me. Chris would be unavailable, we don’t have babies yet, and I could pay one fee to see the people I love from coast to coast! I knew I couldn’t travel just for the sake of travel, especially since I got to see so many loved ones at the wedding. The experience needed to mean something to more than just myself.

While I was at the Alley I had the opportunity to develop and facilitate a workshop with middle school students. I LOVED the experience and have been itching to teach a workshop since. Here is where the idea for a workshop was born; a workshop all over America. My dilemma was what to make the workshop on. Fortunately even without a fully realized idea Chris was 100% supportive. I also made a call to my ambitious yet realistic artist friend Ashleigh to run my idea by her. I wasn’t sure if I was crazy or if this was the best idea I have ever had. She assured me that I was sane. I hung up and bought my ticket. I don’t think it was until a few days later while I was searching for some motivation to get out of the apartment and still waiting for inspiration to hit about the workshop that I realized YES! How do people do it! What inspires us? What motivates us? Why do we feel the need to get out of bed each morning? Its not always easy, so how do people keep themselves going? A universal topic.

That is how the idea was born. with the support of my family and friends I am off to go from sea to shining sea to figure out what inspires you and how you motivate yourself in your day to day life.

My inspiration: My amazing friends and professors from NYU Ed Theatre

My motivation: my family, my future, and also the fear of staying on the couch for all eternity =)