What if professional development wasn’t something done to teachers—but something created by them?

That’s the idea behind Community Forums. It’s a powerful, participatory model. Educators come together to share experiences, reflect deeply, and explore solutions through performance.

A Different Workshop

Unlike traditional PD sessions that deliver top-down content, Community Forums are teacher-led, dialogic, and grounded in lived classroom experience. Inspired by the work of Augusto Boal and Paulo Freire, these forums blend embodied learning with critical reflection.

In a Community Forum, we don’t just talk about teaching—we perform it.

Here’s how it works:

✅ Teachers bring their own stories—especially moments of tension or uncertainty.
✅ These “critical incidents” are re-enacted using movement, gesture, and improvisation.
✅ Participants step into each other’s roles, experiment with alternative actions, and uncover new perspectives.

This shift from talking to doing unlocks a deeper insight—one that’s felt, not just thought.

Why it matters:

• 🌀 It’s participant-led – Teachers shape the content.
• 🔍 It’s solution-focused – The goal is transformation, not just reflection.
• 🔁 It’s multi-voiced – All perspectives matter.
• 🎭 It’s embodied – We engage not just minds, but bodies and emotions too.

At its core, a Community Forum is a collective act of inquiry—and a space where teachers feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Not a Quick Fix—But a Real One

This isn’t a pre-packaged PD session. It takes time, vulnerability, and trust. But the rewards are immense:
💬 Stronger community
💡 Deeper insights
🔥 Renewed energy for the classroom

Curious to see what performative, teacher-led development can look like?

Let’s keep this conversation going.

🔗 Visit www.tom-godfrey.com for resources, videos, and upcoming workshops on Performative Pedagogy.

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