Growing through life’s bumpy moments: key experiences transforming the careers of positive veteran performing arts teachers

ABSTRACT With many performing arts teachers succumbing to stress and burn-out and rates of attrition growing, it is critical to understand factors which enable some teachers to remain positive, committed and enthusiastic in their teaching. Interviews with four female veteran performing arts teachers revealed ways in which key complex and profound experiences of their careers had enriched their professional lives. Given the significant impact these positive veteran teachers continue to have on their colleagues and students, we advocate the importance of utilising the stability these teachers can provide in shepherding colleagues and beginning teachers through their own inevitable bumpy moments in their careers.