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Personal Passions & Projects

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My Journey with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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I first stepped onto the mats for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) back in Vietnam, and it’s been an incredible journey ever since. While living there, I even co-ran a BJJ club at my school, which became one of my favorite parts of the week. What’s interesting is how I found ways to blend this martial art with my high school physical theatre classes. Some of my students were in both my theatre class and the BJJ club, and we began exploring movement and techniques from jiu-jitsu within our physical theatre work. It added a whole new dynamic to the way we approached performance.

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My first competition was in Saigon in 2017 after only about six months of training. I got completely destroyed, but instead of feeling disheartened, it lit a fire in me to push harder. I kept training as I moved to Jakarta, where BJJ became not only a passion but a great way to meet people. In my first year there, I started competing more regularly, earning second place in the 2018 Jakarta comp, and then traveling with my team to the 2019 IBJJF tournament in Manila, where I won gold. That moment was particularly special because my dad was there to see me compete and win, which made it even more memorable.

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Of course, COVID threw a wrench in things. In 2020, it was hard to train regularly in Jakarta, and the same challenge came when I moved to Malaysia during the pandemic. But I was lucky enough to find a friend nearby during the 2021 lockdown, and we trained together, which became a crucial outlet for me during those tough times. It wasn’t just about fitness – it was a way to stay grounded.

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Unfortunately, I’ve been sidelined lately, so I haven’t been able to train as much as I’d like. But I’m eager to get back on the mat as soon as possible and continue my BJJ journey. The lessons I've learned from jiu-jitsu – resilience, humility, and perseverance – are things I carry with me in all aspects of life, and I can’t wait to keep progressing in both the sport and the art.

Staying Connected: My Journey in Community Theatre and How It Fuels My Teaching

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As an international teacher, one of the most rewarding things I've done is stay active in the local theatre scene. For me, it’s vital to make connections with local theatre groups and keep myself involved in the community. Much like my journey with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I consider myself a lifelong learner, and the best way to grow is through constant practice and engagement.

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When I lived in Saigon, I was a committee member of the Saigon Players, a vibrant theatre group where I had the opportunity to act in a wide range of shows. I didn’t just stay on stage; I also helped out behind the scenes with various productions, whether that meant organizing, planning, or assisting wherever needed. It was an amazing way to stay connected to the craft and constantly learn from others.

In Malaysia, I’ve continued this passion by being an active member of Cempaka Performing Arts, Pop-Up Theatre, and Plastic Monkey Productions. I’ve worn a lot of hats – starring in films, doing voiceover work, helping with cinematography, and performing in plays. I’ve also lent my hand to the KL Players, helping design props and sets, and offering my expertise wherever possible. Being part of these communities has been a tremendous experience that’s broadened my understanding of the performing arts, from acting to production design and everything in between.

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What’s been particularly meaningful is how this experience has enhanced my professional practice as an educator. Being immersed in these creative projects has directly influenced my teaching. It’s allowed me to stay current with industry trends, refine my skills, and bring fresh, real-world insights into the classroom. Whether it's helping students develop a stronger stage presence, guiding them through set design, or collaborating on creative problem-solving, my community theatre experience enriches my ability to teach and inspire students.

At the end of the day, being part of these theatre communities isn’t just about staying active in the arts – it’s about continuing to learn, grow, and bring that knowledge into my work with students, making me a better educator.

Finding Flow: How Yoga Connects My Mindfulness and Theatre Practices

During the COVID lockdown, like many educators, I had to rethink how to engage students who were stuck at home with limited resources. I was determined to create a unique and meaningful experience for my young learners, even from a distance. That’s when I stumbled across an idea that would spark joy in both my students and their families—puppetry using simple cootie catchers.

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While researching online, I came across a shark-themed cootie catcher puppet. I immediately knew this would be a fantastic way to engage my students in a hands-on, creative project that they could easily do at home. I adapted a lesson around making baby shark puppets, ensuring it was accessible for students with or without printers. Once they had their puppets, we launched into an online unit exploring the art of puppetry, giving students the chance to tell stories, express themselves, and have fun with their new creations.

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Seeing the faces of both students and parents light up during these sessions was incredibly rewarding. Despite the challenges of remote learning, these simple puppets brought joy and creativity into their homes.

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Inspired by the success of the baby shark puppets, I started designing my own collection of cootie catcher puppets that could be tied into classic children's stories, readers, and beyond. Over time, this collection has grown to include over 50 different designs, featuring fairy tales, Australian animals, Pokémon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and even Marvel characters. These puppets have become a core part of my drama lessons, offering a low-resource, high-engagement project for younger students. I also have a range of video lessons I have made to accompany these resources, thanks in part to COVID, and my own DIY at home film studio.

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I have now integrated these whimsical characters into the curriculum, using them as tools to explore narrative, character development, and performance skills.  Whether students were acting out scenes from familiar tales or creating their own stories, these puppets became a bridge between creativity and the learning objectives. For my ESL students, these activities have been particularly beneficial, helping them develop their enunciation and spoken language skills in a fun and engaging way.

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The joy and creativity that puppetry brings to my classroom continues to inspire me. It’s a perfect example of how, even during challenging times, we can find innovative ways to connect with students and foster a love for learning. I look forward to continuing to build on this work, collaborating with students, teachers, and creatives to bring more unique and exciting ideas to life.

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