Are you a teacher in need of a creative boost? Could your school’s faculty use a more creative approach to its curriculum?
As a creative person working in the private school system for over fifteen years, Sally has seen first-hand the dramatic shift away from the creative arts for the sake of a stronger commitment to science, technology, engineering and math. However, despite the crucial STEM skills that our students will need as they enter the workforce, we cannot ignore the critical role that “soft skills,” like creativity, empathy and collaboration, will play in their potential to become effective and successful professionals. And all the more so, as the age of technology takes the minds of today's children away from reading, imaginative play, collaborative work, and creative thinking, we are needing to make a greater effort to make sure that their “soft skills” are not lost to their technology devices and linear subject-specific learning.
In fact, studies have shown that a mere 15% of professional success is derived from a given job’s specific skill set. The other 85% comes from a person’s “soft skills!” As more studies will begin to point to the importance of these skills and the job market begins to target those who offer a more “well rounded” package as opposed to brilliance in one area, colleges will begin to start looking for the students who, for example, have theater experience or who have participated in poetry club or other such creative extra-curriculars.
Unfortunately, in this age, we cannot assume that our students will develop these skills on their own. Interpersonal, collaborative “soft skills” must be taught. And with the already jam packed school schedules, most teachers would agree that this would best be done within their regular classrooms, integrated into the curriculum.
Sally’s work in both the worlds of Theater and Education has inspired her to share her experiences with those who are making a life-long impact on our youth every day – teachers. Her creative education program imparts simple and effective theater-based strategies in just a few workshop sessions. Sally’s techniques are designed for the teachers to use in conjunction with their regular lesson plans. These tools will not only make the lessons more fun and memorable, but they will also serve as an opportunity for students to learn and practice their “soft skills.” Sally is also available to work with individual teachers to discuss more specific applications of her creative strategies within their curriculum.
Please contact Sally at sshatzkes@gmail.com to schedule a consultation.
Testimonials from educators who have worked with Sally:
Thank you so so much! I was truly awed by your calm and accepting persona - I can't imagine how differently my high school experience would have gone if I'd had a teacher like you who cared enough to really listen.
This was refreshing and inspiring in a [COVID] year that has been draining!
It was a great reminder of old games I grew up with and I didn’t realize they can be used as an educational tool
I learned about the importance of silence and of engaging all students
I was surprised that such simple movements can be made into a full exercise to get the students talking