Acknowledgments and Dedication

Acknowledgments and Dedication

-I am more than grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Evangelia Karagianni, my constant ‘helpline’, without whose advice, instructions, support, encouragement, patience and instigation when I felt weary, this dissertation would not be the same. Unquestionably, although thorough guidance has been provided on her behalf, any inconsistencies in the final product of this dissertation are solely the author’s responsibility.

-I would also like to deeply thank my co-supervisor, Dr. Evangelia Soulioti, for the invaluable time she dedicated to read my dissertation and suggest corrections.

-My tutors during this mind-blowing process towards Master’s acquisition could not be excluded, as each provided me with a special academic gift. A great thank you to Dr. Faye Antoniou, the one who enlightened me with her unique insight, Dr. Ioannis Karras who taught me to be concise, Dr. Ifigeneia Kofou for providing innovative alternative teaching methods, and, again, Dr. Evangelia Karagianni for enabling me to enrich my lessons with modern technological tools. 

-I am thankful to my precious colleague, Ms. Aikaterini Arapoglou, whose passion for Drama practices and former dissertation on the topic, intrigued me into endeavoring this project; also, for her support, kind remarks and material she provided me with.

-A big thank you to my principal, Mr. Panagiotis Kilikian, for being there for me at all times, allowing me to use the school premises for the rehearsals, giving leaves to the participating students and permitting me to act at my own will.

-I am obliged to Ms. Erofili Mavridi, the principal of the hosting school for the TIE lesson and Ms. Dimitra Hioti the students’ English teacher, along with their students, for their contribution to the lesson.

-I am appreciative to the ‘Bulletin Board Lady’ Ms. Tracy King, for her permission to demonstrate six pages of her material in this dissertation (Appendix K).

-I am also indebted to Ms. Theodora Trachanopoulou, a dear colleague, for helping me extract the SPSS tables and for clarifying important points.

-I am equally thankful to my exquisite colleagues, Ms. Cleo Papadimitriou and Ms. Maria Glava who have supported me all the way during the last two years of our common studies in HOU. I wish them all the best!

-I could not be more grateful to my siblings Despoina, Ioanna and Pantelis Sotirelis, who were there for me at all times, helping with the rehearsals, providing me with necessary items and utmost support and love.

-Many thanks and a big apology to our three unique children Anastasios, Kyriaki and Konstantinos Spanos for all their inexhaustible love, support and understanding through the whole period of my studies. I love you to the Sun and back!

-Words cannot express the degree of gratitude to my three special friends, wonderful colleagues and co-workers in this project, namely Ms. Evangelia Tsemberli, PE educator and principal of the cooperating school, Ms. Melina Efthimiadou, German Language educator and Ms. Paraskevi Karapolidou, Greek Language educator. They embraced my vision and the project, and multiplied its effects with their paramount contribution in all aspects of the project. Special thanks to Ms. Tsemberli for further enabling the process, by allowing students to participate in actions, such as the interviews or extra rehearsals during school hours.

-Feelings of gratitude, pride and admiration overwhelm me, regarding our ‘Stage Stars’, our exceptional students who never ceased to amaze us! My deepest thanks to Mariella, Magda, Paris, Irene, Ellie, Elisabeth, Michaelia, Raphaelia, Marios, Chrysanthi K., George, Amalia, Christos, Maria, Chrysanthi S., Kally, Anna and Argo our special dog! None of this would have happened if it had not been for them! My deepest thanks to their parents as well, for their unconditional support.

-Last but not least, my greatest ‘thank you’ is given to my precious personal Romeo, my loving husband Evangelos Spanos, for being there for me, even when I was not there for him, owing to studying obligations. He has stood by me during these four years and definitely through the current project and dissertation process.

This dissertation is dedicated to him with all my love and the wish that he remains the protagonist of my life for many years to come!

Here is to sharing our stage for a long time yet!