Early career teachers get dramatic with NIDA

NIDA continues to invest in the creative practice of early career teachers in primary and secondary schools with the 2019 Creative Ambassador’s Initiative.

The program welcomes all teachers employed in a primary or secondary school in the first five years of their teaching career. There is no tuition fee for successful applicants, who take advantage of a week of masterclasses at NIDA to develop their skills to take back to the classroom – as drama specialists, cultural leaders and creative teachers.

Successful participants work with leading artists, educators and academics, including Director, Actor and Course Manager Lyn Lee, actor and director Shane Anthony and tutor, performer Alison Bennett.

Applications are now open until 31 May 2019, with the program taking place in Sydney from 15–19 July.

“Without creativity in the classroom, you fall back to the traditional ‘talk and chalk’ style of teaching and not all students learn that way,” said teacher Rebecca Curtin from Eastern Goldfields College in Kalgoolie, who took part in 2018.

“Connecting drama teachers from regional areas of Australia with new ideas, fellow teachers and artists was one of the many successful outcomes of 2018,” said NIDA Schools Manager, Kate Sherman.

The program is not just for teachers of drama or English. In Science and Technology there is an important creative aspect of design thinking. “Students need empathy and social skills and by giving them drama and arts-based education they able learn those skills and understand the world around them,” said Science and Technology teacher Lina Ponto from Marie Bashir Public School in Strathfield, Sydney.

While NIDA is unable to cover travel, accommodation or living expenses, all tuition costs are free.

The program is open to all teachers in the first five years of their teaching career. Apply at nida.edu.au/teachers