From directing mainstage performances to workshopping over Zoom calls, Visual and Performing Arts Academy theatre teacher and Virginia Beach City Public Schools Teacher of the year finalist 2021, Christa Vogt does it all. This new way of life has altered her approach to teaching, but it has also taught her lessons that she will carry into her classroom as school returns to face to face learning.

“I don’t think any theatre teacher in the whole wide world imagined this,” said Vogt. “But theatre people are some of the best creative problem solvers out there, so we just rolled with it!”

Despite the hardships and uncertainty virtual teaching has brought the performing arts community, valuable knowledge has been gained in more ways than one. The new information has had payoffs for both teachers and students.

“I discovered the curriculum can be trimmed to focus on fewer things, but at a deeper level while still hitting all the targets,” said Vogt. “I also found more meaningful ways to offer student choice on how to reach those targets that kept engagement at higher levels than otherwise.”

For some, switching to virtual learning has helped uncover things about themselves they didn’t know before. For junior Abigail Dear, theatre has helped her expand her emotional connections. 

“Vogt helped me realize you can still have connections despite not being there face to face,” said Dear.

Both Vogt and her students have used this time during COVID-19 to embrace valuable lessons rather than give in to the challenges. It’s a notion we all should follow when approaching classes virtually.

“I am more present and in the moment now than ever before,” said Vogt. “There are so many unpredictable factors that the only way to move through them with my students is to stay present.”

Vogt managed to keep students from becoming overwhelmed with the drastic change from theatre in a classroom to theatre through a screen. 

“She has done a good job of staying stable while shifting to virtual, and maintaining some similarities from in person teaching,” said junior Khristina Smith.

On the other hand, the Vogt stresses how crucial establishing and maintaining connections within the classroom is. 

“Relationships first. Curriculum second,” said Vogt. “Because if positive relationships are not developed, nobody cares about the course content.”

It is obvious by both her students’ relationships with her and how passionately she speaks of helping them, that Vogt has managed to soften the blow of the constantly changing educational setting. By creating a fun and safe space in theatre, she has managed to maintain a semblance of normalcy from “before” and discovered new ways to make things easier on both her and her students.