ISTA - International Schools Theatre Association

ISTA's Teacher Enrichment Programme provides teaching professionals with fresh ideas, support, networking opportunities, and innovative methods of approaching different aspects of Drama and Theatre Arts in Primary, Middle and High School classrooms.
All of our workshops are led by qualified professionals who have extensive experience in:
- Drama/Theatre Arts
- Classroom experience within an international context
- Working with teachers
Our workshops are very practical and hands-on, ensuring the activities and exercises explored can be easily incorporated back in a classroom.
Our Teacher Enrichment Model is based in the premise that:
"Where two different lines of thought meet, new and interesting developments will follow." (Weisner)

Our goal is to support member teachers who are often isolated in their field of practice. There are few theatre departments in international schools where there are more than one or two colleagues who regularly get the opportunity for Teacher Enrichment or sharing ideas with colleagues. Best practice is therefore seen as enriching the teaching process by providing:
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- Regular opportunities for Teacher Enrichment workshops at Festivals
- Training for teachers of IB Theatre (Arts) at TAPS
- 3-day intensive Theatre Experiences for teachers of Primary, Middle and High School (to be reintroduced during our 2008-2009 calendar year)
In addition to workshop opportunities we also provide resources such as:
- Our quarterly journal Scene
- Publications written by teachers for teachers
- Extended teacher resources such as useful websites, play recommendations for productions, interesting articles
- Ideas for the classroom.
We are currently looking at new ways to support teachers by facilitating opportunities for teacher visits, exchanges, and observation of the ISTA model - all providing ongoing valuable professional development.

As such teachers can feel a strong sense of support; they can be part of a strong and ever-growing network of international Drama/Theatre teachers; and can access a forum that encourages dialogue.