Teacher Empowerment with Jade Blue | LANGUAGECERT.org

In this interview, Jade Blue reflects on both empowering and challenging experiences, and how these moments have shaped who she is as a teacher and how she fosters a collaborative approach to learning.

Thinking back on your teaching journey, what was a defining moment for your teacher identity?

In my first year of teaching, I was given a B2/C1 level afternoon fluency class which afforded me complete freedom in what topics I could base my lessons around. Together with the students, we decided to make each week of lessons based around a project, from stop motion animation films to English language board games and even a school rap! It opened up a creative avenue into teaching and learning that has stayed with me throughout my career.

Is there a routine or technique that you use to hone a feeling of power or efficacy, i.e. what is your power pose or ritual?

Imagining what the whiteboard might look like at the end of the lesson has become a bit of a ritual for me. As well as ensuring the lesson is focused and well organised, it also helps me feel more confident about what students will be taking away from the lesson.

Do you recall a moment when you felt disempowered as a teacher?

I once worked with a group of young apprentices in a pharmaceutical company overseas on a short course. I hadn’t been teaching for very long and found it difficult to discover there were some inherited prejudices in the class. Naturally, I questioned some of the viewpoints, but I did find it challenging and disheartening.

What does teacher empowerment mean for you?

Connecting with a group of human beings in a classroom in such a way that we feel like a team with a common goal is an incredibly empowering feeling and creates a great dynamic for learning.

How do you create spaces for conversation in your lessons?

Don’t over-prepare, just trust the process!