Return to school gives Poulsen new outlet for passion

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:34:40 +0000

Whether we laugh uproariously or shudder in abhorrence, it is probably safe to say that the mind-numbing monotony of Ben Stein's character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off does not inspire an interest in learning. With her passion and enthusiasm for dance, however, Betty Poulsen (BEd '02), dance teacher at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, has inspired students for many years.

"Although I taught dance for many years, I graduated with my bachelor of education from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2002 so I still feel that I am a new teacher as far as the school system goes," explains Poulsen. "I considered going into education years ago but I was too scared of the responsibility of teaching young people."

Instead, Poulsen completed a bachelor of arts, majoring in anthropology and drama at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, while teaching dance and performing with the Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede.

"I had been dancing since I was a little girl but my first love was competitive gymnastics. At 15, I auditioned for the Young Canadians and was one of only four who were accepted. It changed the course of my life," says Poulsen. "Dance became my serious passion and it is something that has obviously stayed with me."

At the U of C, Poulsen also met two people who would greatly affect her life, Keith Johnstone, professor emeritus U of C and founder of the Loose Moose Theatre Company (LMTC) and Dr. John Poulsen, her husband and assistant dean, student program services in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Education.

Graduating with a bachelor of arts in 1980, Poulsen worked with Johnstone's LMTC. (She was one of the original "Moosers" and continues to teach in their summer program each year). She also worked as a freelance artist with various children's theatre troupes, including M&M for Kids.

From 1988 to 1996 Poulsen taught dance at the U of C and in 1993 she and John were invited to team teach fine arts in Gaza. She was completely immersed in the conflict as students brought the events from the streets into the class.

Inspired by her travels, Poulsen completed her master's in 1996 from Wesleyan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Connecticut and moved to Lethbridge where both she and John began teaching at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. It was while teaching at the U of L that Poulsen felt the opportunity to re-tool was too good to pass up.

"I decided to go back to school as a student at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ because the education program is known as one of the best in the country, and I love the liberal arts philosophy," explains Poulsen. "There were very inspiring teachers in my program and having three practicum opportunities was invaluable. When you get through your third practicum you are stepping into the classroom with real hands-on, practical learning."

Becoming a peer with some of her former students was pleasantly surprising for Poulsen, who says that working with young people was one of the highlights of her after-degree studies.

"I enjoyed meeting young people with incredible integrity and vision who wanted to step into the role of educators. We had a blast together. Once, we were to present the ninth aspect of the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA's) of a good teacher. We used a Beatles song with the number 9 and the students thought it was cool even though it was not from their era."

In her third practicum, Poulsen was teaching at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute when she was approached by then principal Carol Steen and asked to start a dance program at the high school.

"I taught dance for many years and was planning on teaching elementary," says Poulsen. "I thought long and hard about her proposal but I have had great experiences in my life, great opportunities, great teachers, a professional career, taught post-secondary and danced professionally. What else was left to do but give back?"

Poulsen has certainly given back. She is proud of her students and their dance program and says that her greatest successes are her two children and wonderful marriage.

GET THE FACTS

• Recently invited to be on the 2009 City of Lethbridge Performing Arts Centre Steering Committee

• Recipient of over 20 awards, grants and scholarships totaling $80,000

• Artist in residence at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery

• Guest instructor at the Institut Senian Indonesia (ISI) and the Indonesian Institute of the Arts

• In 1993, she spent three months in Java, Indonesia with her husband, John, and their children making masks and performing with masQuirx (a company of masks and mask performance)

• Taught children's dance at Mount Royal College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guildford, England

Gaza film tonight, discussion Wednesday

trevor.kenney — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:37:45 +0000

Gaza Awareness Week continues at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge with a series events aimed at educating and creating discussion.

Tuesday night, a movie screening of Occupation 101 will be held at 5 p.m. in PE264. On Wednesday, the panel discussion We Want War? Will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Students' Union Building, Ballroom B. Here, a non-threatening, respectful and controlled environment will be created for all members to feel at ease to discuss, ask and answer questions, raise concerns and/or clear common misconceptions about the tense situation in Gaza.

Staff and students alike are invited to attend these events.

The week closes with Thursday's Keep your Eyes on the Target donation campaign and an information booth Friday in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium.

Gaza Awareness Week on campus

trevor.kenney — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:56:16 +0000

The Gaza conflict and the plight of the Palestinian people will be the central theme of Gaza Awareness Week, Jan. 26 to Jan. 30 at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

A number of events will be held throughout the week, including lectures, films and actions, exploring the conflict and the promotion of unbiased news reporting, in response to recent events in Gaza.

The highlight of the week is a panel discussion hosted by Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) Lethbridge. Entitled "We Want War?", it will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 4:30 p.m. in Students' Union Building, Ballroom B.

The week kicks off on Monday with an information booth in the UHall Atrium. Everyone is welcome to drop by to learn more about Palestinian culture, identity and history.

On Tuesday, a movie screening of "Occupation 101" is scheduled for 5 p.m. in room PE264.

Wednesday's We Want War? panel discussion promises a non-threatening, respectful and controlled environment for all members to feel at ease to discuss, ask and answer questions, raise concerns and/or clear common misconceptions about the situation.

Thursday will see the introduction of the "Keep your eyes on the Target" campaign, where 'targets' will be running around campus accepting donations.

The week closes with a Friday information booth, open to more questions and donations.

UNews - Gaza

Return to school gives Poulsen new outlet for passion

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Gaza film tonight, discussion Wednesday

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Gaza Awareness Week on campus

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