Playing, Connecting, and Navigating Change Together
A week after the 47th TESOL Greece Annual International Conference, I find myself doing what I always do after experiences like this: replaying moments, smiling at memories, and holding onto that familiar post-conference buzz that refuses to fade.
There’s something truly special about TESOL Greece. Maybe it’s the people, maybe it’s the atmosphere, or maybe it’s that shared understanding that we’re all here because we care deeply about what happens in our classrooms. Whatever it is, this year’s conference reminded me once again that we are part of a vibrant, passionate, and incredibly generous community.
A Full Room, A Full Heart
This year, I had the joy (and yes, the nerves!) of delivering my workshop, “Navigating Change Through Drama and Storytelling.” From the moment the session began, I could feel the energy in the room building.
And then something happened that I will not forget anytime soon: we ran out of chairs.
A full house. Colleagues standing, squeezing in, making space for one another. I felt incredibly honoured and honestly, a little overwhelmed in the best possible way.
But what stayed with me most wasn’t just the number of people in the room. It was what they did once they were there.
They played. They moved. They laughed. They became noisy. They became curious. They became kids again.
Using a Palestinian folktale as our anchor, we explored how drama and storytelling can help learners, and teachers, navigate change with creativity and confidence. Through simple, adaptable drama conventions and games, we brought language to life, built connections, and experimented with ways to make learning more meaningful and human.
What I witnessed was exactly why I believe so strongly in this work: when teachers experience drama, they don’t just understand it, they feel its impact.
And that changes everything.
When Energy Becomes Learning
One of my favourite moments was watching hesitation turn into enthusiasm.
At the beginning, there’s always that tiny pause, the “What are we about to do?” moment. And then, slowly but surely, something shifts.
People lean in. They take risks. They support each other. They let go of the need to “get it right.”
By the end of the session, the room was alive with energy, collaboration, and genuine engagement. It didn’t feel like a workshop. It felt like a shared experience.
And that, for me, is where real professional growth begins.
Learning as a Participant
Although I would have loved to attend both days (still working on that cloning idea!), the sessions I did experience were meaningful and thought-provoking.
One that really stayed with me was “The Teacher’s Balance in Modern Education” by my dear colleague Yulie Sklia-Lambrou.
It was one of those rare sessions where you’re invited to pause. To breathe. To reconnect with yourself.
In a profession where we give so much of our energy to others, being reminded to nurture our own emotional resilience felt not only important but necessary. It was a gentle but powerful reminder that teaching with love, boundaries, and freedom starts from within.
And then there was Sunday’s plenary by Daniel Xerri, which offered a completely different, but equally valuable perspective.
Focusing on reflection, identity, and the role of technology in professional growth, the session explored how we, as teachers, can become more intentional, reflective practitioners. What I appreciated most was the balance: technology was not presented as a solution, but as a partner, one that can support deeper thinking when used thoughtfully and ethically.
It was a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t just come from doing more but from thinking more deeply about what we do.
The Power of Community
Beyond the sessions, one of the most meaningful aspects of the conference was reconnecting with people. Some were dear friends. Some were colleagues I admire. And some were people I had only ever met online.
There’s something quite magical about finally meeting someone face-to-face after exchanging ideas through screens. Conversations flow differently. Connections deepen. And suddenly, that “online community” becomes something very real.
Moments between sessions, quick chats in corridors, shared laughter over coffee, these are the moments that stay with you just as much as the workshops. They remind you that you’re not doing this work alone. That across countries, contexts, and classrooms, we share the same passion: to teach in ways that matter.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
I want to take a moment to genuinely thank the organisers of the conference. The care, effort, and attention to detail were truly palpable throughout the event. Creating a space where educators feel welcomed, inspired, and supported is no small task and it showed in every aspect of the experience.
Although I could only attend part of the conference, it was rich, energising, and deeply worthwhile.
I left with new ideas to explore, meaningful conversations to reflect on, renewed motivation to keep evolving and a full heart.
Conferences like TESOL Greece are more than professional events. They are reminders. Reminders of why we started. Reminders of what’s possible. Reminders that even in a constantly changing educational landscape, creativity, connection, and community remain at the centre of what we do.
And as always, I move forward ready to keep DramActivating, bringing stories, play, and meaningful learning into every space I step into.
Until next time 🎭