Cael H, MA Somatic Studies

Even in my own language, I have often felt misunderstood.  I have been thinking a lot about language as I move through my AOL's. My parents are English speaking as am I, my Mom is a writer from Toronto, my Dad is a mechanic from Glasgow. Growing up I used words that my friends didn't quite understand (as my Dad had some influence on our Canadian-Scottish verbiage); "Hen" wasn't just a bird, it's a "Bum Bag" never a fanny-pack, and my "Tea" was more than a cup of Tetley. I haven't ever reflected on this, it was always just something that my family did that was "different". I was always described as "full on", "too much", "extreme", "big personality", or a "strong young girl". I knew I was "a lot" and I ran with it. As a dancer I was too muscular, as a fitness trainer I wasn't muscular enough. As a dance teacher I am "too chill", as a yoga teacher I am ...

The "doing". I am an action oriented person, and upon reflection an action oriented learner. It is really difficult for me to stop the "doing" and sit in the reflection without taking action on the "doing better". As I begin to notice the common threads that weave together my "doing" I am able to see these as my learning. But every so often I slip back into focusing on the "doing" and I know this will be my biggest obstacle in writing my AOL's.  I am currently working on separating my ideas, literature, illustrations, and quotes into four main areas which will form my four AOL's. I wanted to start with the first draft as requested, but as I started to put together thoughts I started to notice an overlap and bridges from one to another; so to gain clarity I have decided to section out all four and then pick one to draft.  The working titles for my four areas of learning are:  A Holistic Approach To Curriculum In Dance Empowerment...

When choosing my AOL's I used the exercise provided in the handbook to determine what the areas were and also what learning has occurred within the framework of "doing". It's difficult to name everything you do in a day or to even recognize all of the tasks especially those that are done more seasonally or annually but here is a brief snapshot of what I do in my work and in my practice.  Exercise to apply when choosing your AOL's : Write a job description for your role, what functions and activities do you complete whether or not they are in the title, what courses or training were required or helpful in acquiring this position, where within the organization do you sit, what is the scale of your responsibility? (Page 21 in the RPL handbook). JOB ONE: DANCE EDUCATOR  Develop class goals and outlines of achievements that help to frame the learning that will occur within that season  Create safe and effective exercises and technical drills that follow dance lineage a...