For a wee bit of background; Alan is a lecturer at the University of Aberdeen with a Fine Art Diploma and a PGDE Teaching Qualification under his belt. He taught one of committee members, Tamarra’s, education tutorial this semester and I strongly felt that he suited the Campus Celeb title, naturally.
HC: Now, amongst education students youāre very well known. In fact we’d say youāre a bit of a legend. How would you describe your teaching styles and your unique approach to lecturing?
AP: Haha, Iām a legend?!
HC: I would definitely say so, Alan!
AP: Well I think part of lecturing education is that you have to remember that youāre in a COMMUNITY of learning; the whole point is how you creatively are part of a transformative process. I want to make a change! I think itās fair to say that Iāve always worked with a sense of fluidity; I understand what transition means and realism! And life-long learning! Donāt feel stuck! I think that students feel stuck in lectures, a real sense of stuckness. Thatās a good word isnāt it – stuckness? The same PowerPoint lectures, itās boring and I want to be creative, you see – break the mould!
HC: Have you always been interested in art?
AP: Yes! Haha – is that too short of an answer? Always, always, always. Well, Iām approaching my 60th year, which Iām not afraid to say!
HC: Sixty is the new twenty!
AP: Well, as an aged person my memory of art only kicks in at around primary 5. Look Iām not competitive, but there was an art competition, a group competition; we had to paint a tea scene. I remember coming in as a RUNNER UP, I was pretty upset about it. But I was always academic in high school, mainly with art, history and English. IN FACT! My only deviation from art was that I wanted to be an environmental health officer. You see I was just SO AWARE OF EVIRONMENTAL CRISIS.
HC: Oh yeah, we love that. ACTIVISM!
AP: Yeah, exactly! Anyway, I used art as teenager a lot; it gave me a real release from pressures.
HC: Is there anything in particular that has influenced you to be the teacher you are today?
AP: One thing that inspired me to teach is the four years I spent at Glasgow School of Art, followed by a year at Jordan Hill in 1978-9. Now, the primary section of that year was tiny! But it filled me with passion! During that year I discovered this amazing artwork that was all inspired by childrenās art, you know the mind of beginners! How inspiring, it opened my mind to discovering childrenās creativity and Iāve always kept that alongside me, in the discovery process.
HC: Can you sum up your sense of style and dress in a couple of words?
AP: Oh good question – what do you think?
HC: Well, we like to think of you as a kind of floral Van Gogh, you know – mad! Less depressed of course.
AP: Yes! Haha, and with both ears! Definitely, I mean like today I can be quite quiet. Iāve got my black skinnies, my Shetland waistcoat – but Iāve still got my beads, you know! I can be a bit off the wall, it varies with my mood. I wear a hair braid and a feather sometimes, which youāve seen! What was I conveying with that? Hmm, itās a symbol, isnāt it? Itās fun! I can use dress as a vehicle to convey a creative message. Itās a kind of freedom, isnāt it!
HC: And finally, what would advice would you give to somebody looking into studying primary education?
AP: Well I would say reflect on the āWHYā-s around the choice- why do you want to work with children day in and day out? The answer must be passion; not having been pulled by your parents. You have to want to do it! I think thatās it!
Alan finished the interview in classic Alan style; random and off the wall! With a photo shoot!
Thanks so much for chatting with us Alan!!