Early Career Theatre Educators
You’re excited to start your career as a theatre educator – and probably a little intimidated. You don’t have to do it alone! TEC 2024 will set you up for success: Participate in a track of expert-led workshops just for theatre educators early in their careers. PLUS: Get matched with a mentor who will provide you with coaching and moral support all year long, and connect with new colleagues just like you.
Training Workshops
Designed to be taken in sequence, this track covers all the essentials – think of it as the theatre-specific job onboarding your school doesn’t provide. Walk away from the weekend ready to rock your job! Anyone attending TEC may take part in these workshops; they do not require additional registration.
Thriving (Not Surviving) Your First Year
Ayesis Clay, Sculpted Clay Productions
September 27 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Balancing the demands of classes, productions, and your own personal life can be challenging for theatre educators. Learn authentic, sustainable wellness and stress-management methods that honor your creative self. Remember: Self-care isn’t selfish!
Curriculum Mapping Your First Year
Dr. Jennifer Katona, EdTA Executive Director
September 27 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
You’ve got curriculum to write – now what? Learn to use backward mapping to build units of study. This session walks you through identifying skill-based theatre instruction, writing lines of inquiry, and developing formative and summative assessments, aligned to national standards.
Culturally Responsive Teaching Methods
Joshua Rashon Streeter, Emerson College
September 27 | 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Learn how to teach in ways that speak to all students. Designed to extend your learning on curriculum mapping, this session shows you how to weave culturally responsive teaching methods throughout your curriculum.
Designing and Running a High School Theatre Season
Corey Mitchell, The Theatre Gap Initiative
September 28 | 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Gain practical insights and strategies to create a successful and vibrant theatre program for your school community. This in-depth session covers all the nuts and bolts, including scheduling, play selection, budgeting, and leveraging booster clubs and sponsorships to support your productions.
Directing for New Theatre Teachers
Corey Mitchell, The Theatre Gap Initiative
September 28 | 10:45-11:45 a.m.
This immersive session covers essential pre-production steps, effective design and staging techniques, and the art of building a cohesive production team. Get practical advice on rehearsal strategies, creating realistic timelines, and scaling expectations for both plays and musicals, ensuring a successful and enriching experience for your students.
Mentorship
Come to TEC to Learn and Leave with a Mentor!
This year at TEC, EdTA is piloting a program to match early career theatre educators with mentors to provide individual support and guidance as you start your journey in theatre education. Available for any educator attending TEC who has been teaching for three years or less, interested mentees can sign up to be matched with experienced theatre educators.
Up to 30 educators will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. All you have to do is fill out the form below to tell us a little bit about yourself!
Mentees will be paired with mentors and contacted on or before October 5th, 2024. Participants can expect at least six structured contact points throughout the school year to provide encouragement, share resources, and lend a listening ear. Mentors will bring experience that will help support and develop your teaching skills, provide coaching and advice, and be a role model to encourage your success.
You can request a mentor after registering for TEC by completing the Mentor Request Form in the Attendee Service Center.
Note: Attendance at TEC is mandatory for participation in the program. Applicants will be vetted prior to being paired. In addition, applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the workshops above that comprise the Early Career Educator Track at TEC.
Have more than three years of experience? Become a mentor! Please contact education@schooltheatre.org for more information on how you can help guide the next generation of theatre educators!
Find Your Community
At TEC, you’ll become part of the EdTA theatre educator community. You’ll have the opportunity to form friendships with other educators and connect with industry partners and vendors who have services and solutions to help your program. You’ll walk away from the weekend with all the tools you need to succeed!
