TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

      Out of the classroom, I'm constantly always asking questions feeding every bit of my curiosity.  It is that curiosity that drives my teaching while I'm engaging my students in a respectful, fun, and intellectual dialogue. I am receptive to their needs and attempt to answer their questions thoughtfully, but relentlessly train them to hone their skills of inquiry. Theatre and teaching are all about asking the right questions.

Recent Teaching Successes...

City College Of New York certificate

Chris recently completed his
New York State teaching credential in Theatre (k-12), upon returning to where he earned his Master's at CCNY's Educational Theatre Program.

In school Improv residency at Jill Chaifetz Transfer School in Bronx, NY.

      I embrace every student’s individuality. This enables me to develop shared goals in order to personalize my lesson planning to their respective strengths. I believe in consistency in curriculum-based learning balanced with one’s own lesson planning. I’m very adept at personalizing pedagogy on a level that works for the student and situation while taking into account protocols established by the academic institutions.

      Being a student does not end with me being a teacher. Reflection is a big part of my pedagogy, both during and after a lesson. I strive for a student-centered approach with an emphasis on theatre skills and technique in all theatre arts content. I keep the students highly engaged, drawing from my professional experience. Through my skill-building assessments, observations, and feedback, I treat all my students as young professionals in the field. I’m passionate about fostering the best possible environment for LGBTQA+ and BIPOC students to express themselves through their artistry. I want all of my students to feel proud of the work they put into the process, a production, or culminating project.

      Ultimately, I want them to feel a sense of accomplishment in an effort to create lifelong advocates for the love of theatre. 

The production team on opening night: Georgia DeFalco, Emily Ellis, & Chris Giordano

The last semester, he directed Dobbs Ferry Middle School's production of How to Eat Like A Child. Despite setbacks from the pandemic, the show received praise from parents and school administrators.

Chris was the Lead Acting Teacher for AMDA's Gap Program. He created and facilitated a brand new curriculum for college-aged students seeking a well-round introduction to all aspects of theatre.

Chris with a student in his Scene Study class at AMDA.

"[Mr. Giordano] helped open my eyes to a lot of things I’d been putting off confronting — both in the performing arts and in life — and I really enjoyed the learning experiences [he] provided."
 - Student, AMDA's Gap Progam

“Chris is an exceptional instructor with an incredible passion for both his craft and his students. He always seeks to give students a well-rounded education in the performing arts while also instilling a need for a work ethic that will prepare them for the outside world. He has a desire to see each of his students succeed in the arts. I have single-handedly seen him inspire his students. I will continue to offer him work, as he is a huge asset to any school he has the chance to teach at.”
 - Tayler Green, AMDA National Director of Extension Programs