The first thing you would’ve noticed of the new drama teacher is probably that he’s British.
However, there’s much more that lies beneath his accent.
Mr. Simon Williams “doesn’t teach.” Well, as he describes it, what he does in the classroom
isn’t what he considers teaching—it’s just what he does.
“We do all the things that are required for learning,” explained Mr. Williams, “but I don’t
consider this a job. I go home, and I look forward to drama the following day. So it’s more of a
passion.”
“And as long as the kids are willing to try, I don’t care,” he continued, “because you have
kids that are very shy and very quiet. And that’s okay, it’s just their personality. Going on stage
is probably the worst things they could possibly do, ever. As long as they are willing to try and
give it a go and play and have a giggle, I don’t care. I’m all for that.”
During a rehearsal for the upcoming high school play, 30 Reasons Not To Be in a Play,
students took the initiative to direct the cast and crew and set the stage according to their own
judgments. “This is what teaching is about,” Mr. Williams said, proudly, “You give them enough
confidence and knowledge so they can take the lead.”
His unconventional teaching standards may also be the reason he’s such a popular teacher
among his students. Not only do they refer to Mr. Williams by his first name Simon, they openly display a love-hate relationship.
“Here, [the students] are just expressive and they’re fun and they just have energy - and it’s
exhausting,” said Mr. Williams with a laugh, “but it’s a lot of fun. It really is a lot of fun.”
“I was talking with my wife last night about how there’s just this element of fun with the
kids you can have that is really, really enjoyable—and it actually makes the job worthwhile,” he
said as he leaned back into the chair, “it’s having a really good relationship with those kids and
spending time with them that matters.”
Mr. William’s own high school life, however, was definitely not what inspired him to be a
teacher. As a student in a single-sex, boys’ grammar school, there was little room for exploration
and creativity, and more of, as he’d describe, “sit at your desk, learn your Latin verbs, write, repeat,
leave.”
After he realized that high school just wasn’t for him, he dropped out before his junior year
and found his place in a performing arts college. “All I did [there] was acting, dance, choreography,
set design, costume design, directing, and creating. And it was fantastic. I spent the next two years
with other people like me,” recalled Mr. Williams.
“But I genuinely didn’t know I was interested in theater,” he said. “My dad was doing some
community theater stuff when I was eleven, and they needed a younger actor for a part in Carousel.
So I auditioned, and they gave me the part. It was just a bit of fun, really.”
“Then I just went professional, and it sort of happened by accident. I wanted to be a doctor,
but I just wasn’t clever enough, ‘cause the physics and the chemistry and the biology just didn’t
want to happen,” he laughed. I’m sure a lot of SAS students have also had such experiences, Mr.
Williams.
For those who haven’t found their way yet, Mr. Williams has some advice: “Oh, relax, man.
Jeez,” he exclaimed. “Everybody worries about whether they’re going to Harvard or Princeton or
whatever…. But when you’re [there], nobody asks about your high school life. Nobody cares. So do
your best and have a good time and enjoy being kids. Don’t grow up too fast. It’s horrible when
kids grow up too fast.”
To those who are unfamiliar with “chap hop” (aka. anyone who isn’t from England), Mr.
Williams gives an order: “Go on youtube, search up Professor Elemental, and listen to Chap Hop.
I’m telling you, you won’t regret it.” Here is the video he is referring to. You’re welcome, Mr. Williams.
Angela Ma
However, there’s much more that lies beneath his accent.
Mr. Simon Williams “doesn’t teach.” Well, as he describes it, what he does in the classroom
isn’t what he considers teaching—it’s just what he does.
“We do all the things that are required for learning,” explained Mr. Williams, “but I don’t
consider this a job. I go home, and I look forward to drama the following day. So it’s more of a
passion.”
“And as long as the kids are willing to try, I don’t care,” he continued, “because you have
kids that are very shy and very quiet. And that’s okay, it’s just their personality. Going on stage
is probably the worst things they could possibly do, ever. As long as they are willing to try and
give it a go and play and have a giggle, I don’t care. I’m all for that.”
During a rehearsal for the upcoming high school play, 30 Reasons Not To Be in a Play,
students took the initiative to direct the cast and crew and set the stage according to their own
judgments. “This is what teaching is about,” Mr. Williams said, proudly, “You give them enough
confidence and knowledge so they can take the lead.”
His unconventional teaching standards may also be the reason he’s such a popular teacher
among his students. Not only do they refer to Mr. Williams by his first name Simon, they openly display a love-hate relationship.
“Here, [the students] are just expressive and they’re fun and they just have energy - and it’s
exhausting,” said Mr. Williams with a laugh, “but it’s a lot of fun. It really is a lot of fun.”
“I was talking with my wife last night about how there’s just this element of fun with the
kids you can have that is really, really enjoyable—and it actually makes the job worthwhile,” he
said as he leaned back into the chair, “it’s having a really good relationship with those kids and
spending time with them that matters.”
Mr. William’s own high school life, however, was definitely not what inspired him to be a
teacher. As a student in a single-sex, boys’ grammar school, there was little room for exploration
and creativity, and more of, as he’d describe, “sit at your desk, learn your Latin verbs, write, repeat,
leave.”
After he realized that high school just wasn’t for him, he dropped out before his junior year
and found his place in a performing arts college. “All I did [there] was acting, dance, choreography,
set design, costume design, directing, and creating. And it was fantastic. I spent the next two years
with other people like me,” recalled Mr. Williams.
“But I genuinely didn’t know I was interested in theater,” he said. “My dad was doing some
community theater stuff when I was eleven, and they needed a younger actor for a part in Carousel.
So I auditioned, and they gave me the part. It was just a bit of fun, really.”
“Then I just went professional, and it sort of happened by accident. I wanted to be a doctor,
but I just wasn’t clever enough, ‘cause the physics and the chemistry and the biology just didn’t
want to happen,” he laughed. I’m sure a lot of SAS students have also had such experiences, Mr.
Williams.
For those who haven’t found their way yet, Mr. Williams has some advice: “Oh, relax, man.
Jeez,” he exclaimed. “Everybody worries about whether they’re going to Harvard or Princeton or
whatever…. But when you’re [there], nobody asks about your high school life. Nobody cares. So do
your best and have a good time and enjoy being kids. Don’t grow up too fast. It’s horrible when
kids grow up too fast.”
To those who are unfamiliar with “chap hop” (aka. anyone who isn’t from England), Mr.
Williams gives an order: “Go on youtube, search up Professor Elemental, and listen to Chap Hop.
I’m telling you, you won’t regret it.” Here is the video he is referring to. You’re welcome, Mr. Williams.
Angela Ma