Author: Elana Shyong

Last week was one of those ones that that reminded me why I love what I do (and where I live)! From professional milestones to personal moments, it was a beautiful mix of inspiration, connection, and a lot of gratitude. ✨ Coliving Conference 2025: Two days surrounded by visionaries reimagining how we live and connect.…

Today, I wanted to share something a bit different, and honestly, a little vulnerable. It’s #WorldMentalHealthDay today, it feels like the right time to speak out loud about a project idea that’s been sitting with me for a while. And there’s power in saying things out loud!! At the Tzu Chi Foundation TIYA Conference this…

A single moment in a classroom can shape how you see yourself for life. Yesterday was #WorldTeachersDay, and I happened to having a very fitting conversation with Nolwen Attou Izebatene over a cup of tea about how deeply education weaves into our identity. She told me she still remembers, vividly, her first-grade teacher yelling at…

I’ve always loved what I do for work. But that doesn’t mean I’ve always chosen the right projects. For years, I said yes to things just because I felt like I had to. I chased opportunities that looked practical, or safe, or that I thought would “lead somewhere.” And while they kept me busy, they…

𝙄𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 – 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙠 (resource in the comments). Last week I had the pleasure of leading a workshop in Denmark on AI in language teaching and education as part of a day-long conference that brought together over 80+ teachers from all over West Denmark. We explored…

Thrilled to be invited as a keynote speaker for the 11th International Conference on Innovation in Education held by the EEPEK (Scientific Association for the Promotion of Innovation in Education) next month! 🎉 A special thank you to Angelos Kostaras for the invitation. From joining one of my early Drama in Education courses in Barcelona…

“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴.”That’s what many of my adult participants say when I introduce play as a tool for professional training. Plot twist: Once they start, they don’t want to stop. Here’s the trap: We think play is for children.We think learning stops being playful once we grow up.We think professionalism means being…

𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮, 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙄’𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙚 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛! Hi everyone, I’m Elana! I’m an applied theatre facilitator and creative learning specialist. So, what do those fancy words mean? In essence, I’m passionate about bringing people together through joyful, #creative #learning #experiences. I specialize in the intersection of creative practices and…

When was the last time you felt truly, deeply inspired? For me, it was at the TIYA Conference in Singapore last weekend. This three day conference was filled with workshops, speakers, and collaborative action that empowered young people from across the Asia Pacific Region to lead inclusive, sustainable change for people and planet through cross-sector…

Have you ever doubted what value you could bring to a client? Last month, I delivered a training on stakeholder engagement and management with a participant whose stakeholders included very high-profile people and government level decision-makers. It was my first time facilitating in this kind of environment, and to be honest I felt slightly intimidated…