Carolyn's Creative Class

My most recent teaching experiences during my three years of retirement have been leading a children's fine arts group at my church, and teaching drama sessions to homeschooled students ages eight through eighteen. Prior to retirement, I worked for twenty years as a classroom teacher, first in Edmonton and later in Camrose. Besides teaching the core curriculum, I directed extracurricular fine arts groups in the schools at which I taught. I have occasionally led sessions for adults in the areas of drama and storytelling.

In my classroom, there is a relationship among adults and students that suggests mutual respect. Stress levels are low because students are not afraid to make a mistake. The classroom is teeming with activity, whether individual, small-group, or whole-classroom. Students are, for the most part, enthusiastically engaged in either independent pursuits or teacher-guided dialogue. And there is laughter: snickers, chuckles, giggles and guffaws, in generous amounts, frequently and at appropriate moments. Laughter is directed at students and teacher equally, but never maliciously or unkindly. The teacher is comfortable with sharing his or her sense of humour and in naturally sharing those spontaneous moments of hilarity with students. School does not need to be mundane. School should be safe and comfortable, a secure place that students look forward to attending. Although routine has its place, journeys into the extraordinary can bring about a sense of delight and encouragement in the most downcast student. (from GENTLE ORDER by Carolyn Hartman, 2012)

Two awards for playwriting competitions.

I have a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. My majors are Drama and English (writing).

My name is Carolyn Hartman, and I live in Camrose, Alberta, Canada. For fourteen years prior to the main part of my 20-year teaching career, I raised my four children (and one husband!) while tutoring young students in my home and coordinating/teaching story theatre, drama, and visual arts courses to young people in the community. I have also directed drama classes for young people, and recently co-directed a musical theatre camp for elementary and junior high students in Penticton, BC. Currently, I am working on a number of writing projects for both teachers and children. I enjoy sewing, writing, and spending time with my six grandchildren.