Improv Club was my creative CAS Project, and I probably learned the most about leadership and teaching through this endeavour of mine.
I've learnt improv for seven years, and starting a club to spread the word about improv seemed like the most viable and meaningful option for me. However, I don't think I was prepared to handle the responsibilities and the ethical actions that came with this leadership role. I ran this club for a year, and this was a completely new and challenging learning curve for me, as a person, a leader, and an improv artist.
The first term was mostly focused on me trying to figure out the best way to teach the vast amount of information improv had to offer during lunch breaks once a week and prep my students for a feasible performance. Besides this, I had to deal with students who did not commit to the activity where it required commitment and did not show up. Because of the group nature of improv, this erratic behaviour affected the other students who were dedicated and obviously there to learn something. Thus, the first term, I learned how to impart my knowledge and I consciously fell back upon my experiences as a learner and what stood out for me about my mentors and I learnt how to deal with students who did not have the amount of commitment required. I didn't think teaching improv would be as difficult as it turned out to be.
Through the lessons I learnt in the first term, I was better equipped to lead the new batch of students in the second term. I made the lessons more activity based than theoretical. Instead of telling them what they will learn, I let them do the exercises so that they would imbibe the skills in them and help them realize the skills on their own.
I also made them realize the importance of being committed to the activity by being much more stricter about attendance and playing in the production we would set up.
Improv Club was my first true leading experience where I got to experience the intricacies of leading an activity while also looking at the bigger picture to help me lead my students better.
I've learnt improv for seven years, and starting a club to spread the word about improv seemed like the most viable and meaningful option for me. However, I don't think I was prepared to handle the responsibilities and the ethical actions that came with this leadership role. I ran this club for a year, and this was a completely new and challenging learning curve for me, as a person, a leader, and an improv artist.
The first term was mostly focused on me trying to figure out the best way to teach the vast amount of information improv had to offer during lunch breaks once a week and prep my students for a feasible performance. Besides this, I had to deal with students who did not commit to the activity where it required commitment and did not show up. Because of the group nature of improv, this erratic behaviour affected the other students who were dedicated and obviously there to learn something. Thus, the first term, I learned how to impart my knowledge and I consciously fell back upon my experiences as a learner and what stood out for me about my mentors and I learnt how to deal with students who did not have the amount of commitment required. I didn't think teaching improv would be as difficult as it turned out to be.
Through the lessons I learnt in the first term, I was better equipped to lead the new batch of students in the second term. I made the lessons more activity based than theoretical. Instead of telling them what they will learn, I let them do the exercises so that they would imbibe the skills in them and help them realize the skills on their own.
I also made them realize the importance of being committed to the activity by being much more stricter about attendance and playing in the production we would set up.
Improv Club was my first true leading experience where I got to experience the intricacies of leading an activity while also looking at the bigger picture to help me lead my students better.
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