Tennessee Arts Academy – All Things Must End

All things must end.

This whole week has been one of the most uplifting experiences of my life.

As a teacher.

As a person.

I’ve made new friends that I know I’ll have for a lifetime. I’ve learned new things, received invaluable feedback, and been reminded why I fell in love with teaching in the first place.

By Friday morning, all of us arrived on campus carrying the kind of exhaustion that only teachers truly understand. But mixed in with that exhaustion was something else.

Gratitude.

And a little sadness.

We all knew the week was coming to an end.

The final day was made up of shorter classes, so I decided to end the week with a Second City-style improv jam. We revisited many of the games we’d played throughout the week and even squeezed in a few new ones before saying goodbye.

Then came the selfies.

Lots…

and lots…

of selfies.

The night before, I’d stayed up trying to get a handful of photos printed so I could show everyone what I call their “lobby shots.”

Throughout the week, I’d been encouraging everyone to become more physical in their scene work. We don’t want to be sticks on stage—especially if we’re doing Shakespeare. I always tell my students that we’re trying to create moments with our scene partners. Moments worthy of hanging in the lobby of your theater.

I displayed the photos I’d managed to print and shared a few examples from my own work.

Then it was back to more group photos.

More selfies.

All the selfies.

One class…

Two classes…

Three classes…

And just like that…

It was over.

Watching these educators walk into my classroom on Monday, skeptical and worried they couldn’t improvise Shakespeare, and then watching them leave on Friday confident, laughing, and excited to take these same skills back to their own students…

That was pure joy.

As we said our goodbyes, I found myself tearing up more than once.

The Tennessee Arts Academy doesn’t simply offer professional development for arts teachers.

It celebrates them.

It creates a space where teachers feel safe enough to take creative risks again. It surrounds them with incredible artists, inspiring performances, amazing food, and a community that genuinely wants everyone to succeed.

I truly wish every arts teacher could experience it.

If you’re an arts educator and you’ve ever considered attending the Tennessee Arts Academy, do it.

You won’t regret it.

After our classes ended, we gathered for a faculty presentation before heading to the awards luncheon.

Then it was time for one last van ride…

…one last goodbye…

…and one last trip to the airport.

That evening I walked through my front door to my wife, my daughters…

…and one very upset little Corgi who was not thrilled that Dad had disappeared for an entire week.

Final Thoughts

I seriously doubt I’ll ever top this experience.

The Tennessee Arts Academy will always have a special place in my heart.

The teachers in my classes shared far more than their time. They shared their intelligence, their vulnerability, their generosity, and their unwavering love for their students.

I came to Tennessee to teach.

I left feeling like I’d been seen.

The Academy doesn’t typically bring instructors back year after year. They believe in introducing new voices and giving their attendees the chance to learn from a wide variety of artists.

I respect that.

But…

If Frank ever calls me…

I’ll be on the next plane.