~ teaching ~
My teaching path began at a Montessori school. Maria Montessori’s pedagogy is centered around encouraging the independence of the child and nurturing learning environments that inspire focus and deeper study of the natural world. This has shaped my teaching style, as I rarely impose “lessons” onto children, but instead give them structure and tools to use and follow where they lead the class.
Through teaching, I have synthesized all my years of work in many disciplines, to show children how to tap into their imaginations and play. I am consistently humbled by children’s unique abilities to shed light on what I fail to see under the surface of reality. They question everything and take risks. It is a unique relationship and I feel blessed by the trust we create in the classroom!
Me and my Teaching Assistant, Waffles.
An example of some of the work I am creating with students!
Currently…
Near North Montessori School’s STEAM Studio:
I am currently teaching Textile arts and Puppetry within Near North’s STEAM Studio. Students are gaining skills in sewing, wool working, and weaving in tandem with foundational puppetry making and performance skills!
Notable classes I’ve taught:
Interlochen Arts Camp: Arts Merge
I was an Instructor of Theatre for The Arts Merge Program at Interlochen this summer! Students in grades 6-9 will learned foundational acting skills along with creative writing, dance, instrument exploration, environmental studies, and visual arts.
Arts Adventure with Interlochen Online:
Students learned the foundational elements of creative writing, character movement, puppetry, and acting. Ages 7-11
Scroll down for a free puppet making lesson!
Lower Elementary Drama:
Students built a dramatic imagination through improv games, sensorial demonstrations, and object play. Ages 5-10
Comedy Club:
Students studied comedy history and the basics of improv. We created characters from my magic dress-up trunk, and then wrote our own sketches and filmed the favorites. Ages 5-12
Puppet World:
The art of puppetry with an emphasis on puppet history and teamwork. Ages 3-10