Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!

For the last week of class, drama ruled the day. The good kind of course. Our last project was to, in groups, find a children's book and act it out. Because it is one of my favorite children's books, and the book that first helped me realize I could be more than the quiet girl who doesn't say much, my group chose to act out Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!

I became increasingly nervous when April decided that I, as the Pigeon, needed a costume, but I decided to trust myself and my classmates.

Honestly, I would be lying if I didn't say it was one of the best experiences I've had in college. It wasn't about my great acting chops (because I have none), but more about my willingness to let go of my anxiety and just do it. Well, that and the fact that I got to yell at my classmates while my face was completely hidden by a sheet, which was incredibly fun.

I definitely think that I will be able to translate this experience into my teaching because of how much I didn't want to do it at first. Standing up in front of people is not easy for me, much less playing the part of a crazy character like the Pigeon. However, I felt safe and comfortable with my classmates and my professor, so I let myself do it anyway.

That is something I will always strive for in my own classroom. Also, I know that I personally feel a lot better about acting silly in front of people if I see someone else do it first. Therefore I will always be willing to make a fool out of myself (in certain ways that are actually meaningful for my students) in my classroom.

I never really had anyone teach me it was okay to be scared and brave at the same time; it took me years to realize they aren't mutually exclusive emotions. If I can help students realize that earlier than I did, I will absolutely act embarrassingly ridiculous every once in a while.

This is me as the Pigeon. I didn't get permission from my group members to post their faces online which is why it's this picture and not the better one with all four of us.

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