Why did I want to work for Artis?

I am passionate about the arts and have loved my previous freelance roles as a workshop leader. Artis stood out to me in particular because of its holistic approach to arts education, allowing teaching to combine music, movement and drama.

I have a degree in music in addition to a keen interest in movement and drama, so the opportunity to use all three of these together really excited me. This is something that I have become even more passionate about since starting to teach with Artis. I love seeing the children progress so quickly in sessions consolidating their classroom learning through links with the national curriculum and school topics.

I also wanted to become an Artis Specialist because it allows me to work regularly in the same school as opposed to one-off sessions. This means that I can get to know all the children I teach, and tailor my approach as I get to know them better to make sure they get the most out of our sessions, as well as building a relationship with the school.

How was the training?

The training was one of the best things I have ever done! It was amazing to spend a few days surrounded by incredibly talented people and learning from them. I particularly enjoyed learning about Artis’ approach to behaviour management and loved getting ideas for different ways to bring music, drama, and movement into my sessions.

I remember a session with Wizzle, looking at movement based on how water moves using a water bottle as a stimulus. This really inspired me, and I have loved using some of these ideas in my own sessions this year. The training completely changed my approach to teaching, and I am really excited for the next training session this August.

How has the first year been?

I have absolutely loved my first year as an Artis Specialist. It is really fulfilling getting to see my classes progress week by week. I feel really lucky to have access to all of the training, resources, and support from the Artis staff – I am constantly learning! Recently, I was able to visit a different school and see another Specialist in action which was a great way to get some ideas for my own delivery and chat to them about their experiences. My mentor has been fantastic; their continued support is really helpful as I never feel alone.

First day at a school

The first day at a new school is an exciting experience, although I am always slightly nervous! Specialists will visit a school prior to their first day to have a meeting, so on arrival it is reassuring to have already met the receptionist and headteacher. Next comes the challenge of learning everybody’s names. My first session with a new class involves a short introduction before diving into learning.

I find that starting with an action-packed session is a great way to increase the class’s confidence and give them time to get to know me. One of my favourite introduction activities is a counting game, going from 1 to 8, gradually replacing the numbers with actions. This works well with a new class, as it engages their brains quickly and builds their confidence as everybody is doing the same thing at the same time.

If you are interested in working for Artis as a creative specialist then keep an eye on our ‘Join us‘ page on the website.