Noelle Picara

As I pointed out in Part 1 of Teaching the Art of Improvisation, teachers are inherent improvisers. They have the uncanny ability to think quickly on their feet. And while they need and have the ability to improvise, it is essential that teachers pass down the art to their students. Providing students with the opportunity to learn the art of improvisation, how to learn, and how to respect it will equip that student to approach the world differently.
I know first hand the impact that the princ...

Teachers are all great improvisers, but they might not realize it if they haven’t been awarded the opportunity to study improvisation. While improvisation can be applied to every walk of life, it is especially important in education. In a field where reactions are crucial, collaboration is evident, and flexibility is necessary, the art of improvisation is a teacher’s best friend.
There are a few characteristics inherent to improvisational arts. First, there is a structure. This structure is p...

It seems that recently the push in education is for innovation. This push probably comes from the “success of innovative companies” such as Google, Tesla, Amazon and Apple. Young people looking for jobs want to be part of an innovative culture where the leadership fosters innovation through tolerance for failure, encouraging willingness to experiment and valuing decentralized management. Our society and today’s education desires and even glamorizes an innovative culture, however they are doin...

By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer
Were one to casually flip through the pages that have documented the latest chapter of Noelle Picara's journey, a likely conclusion upon reaching the end would be that the past seven years have told the story of a very rich and full life.
Over that time, Picara was a highly-respected music and English teacher at the Tatnall School, and one of the school's most prominent mentors in its theater program, where she directed musicals. The number of young people she i...