Louise Riseley is a sometimes Laneway Learning teacher and sits on the board of directors as Secretary.
How did you get involved with Laneway Learning?
Back in the early days of Laneway Learning, a friend invited me to a Hawaiian dancing class. I had such a great time swaying my hips like the ocean, I started going along to other Laneway Learning classes. Fast forward a few years and I was looking for a new home for a session on creativity I’d presented at a Toastmasters International Conference. I approached Laneway Learning and was soon teaching with them. I’ve run classes on creativity, ideas generation and songwriting.
What is it about Laneway Learning that appeals to you?
I’m a dabbler who loves trying new things. Laneways Learning provides a smorgasbord of educational offerings that are accessible and fun. Most importantly, classes are delivered by teachers who are passionate about their subjects and have as much fun teaching as the students do learning.
What is your professional background?
I spent two years teaching English in Japan and another few years based in Bangkok running a regional alliance of tobacco control advocates. I’ve also lived in a remote community in central Australia, helping Indigenous kids read. In my more serious career, I work in research and public policy, with experience in both the community and government sectors.
What other things are you involved in?
What am I not involved in? I run community laughter groups, sing in a choir and organise an arts and culture group. Recently my passion for theatre has led to me helping out backstage and dabbling in script writing. I’m also a keen cyclist and bushwalker.
Is there something you wish you knew?
How to spell, and also my times tables … but there are always more interesting things to learn …
Have you ever failed at something at first, but eventually excelled after perseverance?
The first time I wrote a haiku, my teacher, an internationally acclaimed haiku poet, threw my work on the floor (no exaggeration) and exclaimed, ‘That’s not haiku!’ I’ve subsequently gone on to publish haiku in all the major English-language haiku journals.