I came across an “exit interview” by a former member of the Blue Man Group. If you’re not familiar with them, you can get the gist from some Youtube clips such as this one. Basically, they are a group of performance artists who combine music, pantomime, and visual art to communicate a message to the audience. In short, they provide an experience for the audience. The article talked about how challenging it was for this one performer to adapt to the standards and expectations of his predecessors as well as the other members of the group. He wanted to bring his unique talents and character to the show, but he also wanted to honor the traditions and represent the group in an estimable way. The article can be found here.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this as it relates to the Art of Teaching. I believe that a good teacher is a performer above all else, and I want each class to feel like it has a fresh and innovative performance, even though the content isn’t new. Like the Blue Men, I am asked to do what others have done before me, and it is important that my performance is in harmony with the other players in my troupe – it is not a solo performance, even though I might be “on stage” alone at times in my classroom. While I get to create my own script to a certain extent, I do need to create my character according to the standards and expectations of the larger company – the school district. My collaborative team is my Blue Man Group. Part of the Professional Learning Community is the COMMUNITY. We have to work together and with a similar approach. After all, it isn’t about me. It’s about the audience (the students) receiving an authentic and awesome experience. So how do I create a character that is unique and inspiring that provides an incredible experience but that also works in concord with the rest of the group?

Is your PLC a Blue Man Group?