An embodied reflection on identity, presence, and the journeys that shape how we teach.

The Simple Workshop Exercise That Reveals a Teacher’s Journey

In my Teaching Artistry workshops, I sometimes ask teachers to do something unusual.

I tell them to imagine a giant map of the world spread across the floor.

North.
South.
East.
West.

Then I say:

“Place yourself on the map where you were born.”

And suddenly the room begins to move.

People walk slowly across the floor.
Some hesitate.
Some look around for others from nearby places.
Some smile with recognition.

What starts as a simple movement exercise quickly becomes something much deeper.

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The Map Appears on the Floor

I explain that where I’m standing might represent one country.

Across the room might be another.

Someone stands in “South America.”
Someone else moves toward “Europe.”
Another drifts quietly toward “Asia.”

There’s always a moment of uncertainty.

“This isn’t a geography test,” I reassure them.

“If you’re not sure where you are, someone will help.”

Gradually, the map fills with people.

Not as teachers.

As stories.

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When Geography Becomes Biography

Once everyone is standing somewhere on the map, I ask participants to look around.

Who is near you?

Who grew up close to where you did?

Who travelled the furthest to get here?

Conversations begin.

Participants explain:

• where they were born
• where their families come from
• where they feel most at home

Within minutes, the room changes.

The group is no longer anonymous.

It becomes a community of journeys.

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The Question Beneath the Map

After people have shared a little about where they come from, I ask a few reflective questions:

• How do you feel about the place where you were born?
• Where do you feel most at home?
• How has your birthplace influenced your life path?

Sometimes the answers are light.

Sometimes they are surprisingly profound.

Because where we start shapes more than our passport.

It shapes our language, identity, confidence, belonging, and opportunity.

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Why This Matters in Teacher Development

On the surface, Map of the Floor is a simple icebreaker.

But in practice, it does something much more powerful.

It invites:

• personal disclosure
• empathy
• curiosity
• awareness of difference and connection

And it reminds us that every teacher in the room carries a unique journey.

Behind every professional role is a story.

Behind every method is a human being shaped by experience.

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When the Map Needs to Change

In some groups, asking about birthplace can feel too sensitive.

If that’s the case, the exercise shifts slightly.

Instead of “Where were you born?”, I ask:

• Where would you love to visit?
• Where would you go on your dream holiday?

The map still fills with movement.

The stories still emerge.

And the group still discovers something about itself.

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Why Embodied Activities Matter

Teacher development often happens sitting down.

Talking about theory.

Looking at slides.

But teaching itself is embodied.

It happens in space.

Through movement, presence, and relationships.

Exercises like this help participants experience ideas physically, not just intellectually.

They create the conditions for connection, reflection, and participation.

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This Is the Kind of Work We Explore

Activities like Map of the Floor are not just warm-ups.

They are windows into identity, experience, and community.

Inside the Performative ELT community, we explore many activities like this — practical, embodied exercises that help teachers reflect on who they are, how they teach, and how they connect with others.

If that resonates with you, you’re warmly invited to join us.

It’s free.

👉 https://performativeelt.com/free-community-6779

Because sometimes the most important professional question isn’t:

“What should I teach today?”

It’s:

“Where am I standing in my journey as a teacher?”