I Am An Online Facilitator

For 35 years as an arts administrator I managed theatres of all sizes, both public and private, but what I really did all those years was facilitate the needs of the artists that performed at my venues. I made sure the venue and the staff were always ready for their performances or rehearsals and I managed the budget so there were always funds to support the artists' needs, whether that was salaries, costumes, sets or advertising. My purpose was to facilitate the artists and support them so they could do what they do best...create music, dance or theatre. Now that I am retired and teaching online I find that my talents as a facilitator are just as important and just as applicable. It is not only my job to teach the subject matter, but it is my responsibility to be a facilitator for my students so that they can be successful in not only completing this course, but in completing their degree. Being a facilitator means taking extra time to explain a new concept to a non-theatre major taking Theatre Appreciation. It means being aware that assignments may need rewording, so that it is

clear what I want from the students. It also means giving a masters student a few extra days to complete an assignment because their child was ill. 

I am always reminding myself that it is not about me, it's about my students success.  And like the artists that I facilitated for over 30 years, I'll do whatever it takes to facilitate the success of my online students.