I started the "Always An Artist" project because I was freaking out about "just" being a teacher. I've proved to myself that that is not the case, and I am a functioning artist in my own right. However, I am still very much also a teacher, and I don't want anyone to think I'm ashamed of that.

This week, I said goodbye to my stage school students for the last time. Schedule changes mean I can no longer teach at the school, and I am going to miss them immensely. I've been there for 3 and a half years, with some students who have been with me for the whole run. I know I've made an impact there because I can see the development in their performance skills, especially in the older group. I've also seen them improve as leaders and collaborators in the cohort, which is very rewarding. I like to think I also connect with my students on a personal level, but that is much harder to quantify. Until two days ago, at least.

One of my "needs a wash" is a half-up hairdo and I often accessorise with a colourful scrunchie. One Saturday, I managed to match my scrunchie and my earrings, and the kids were thrilled. They claimed I looked like I was in Heathers. I knew I had a second matching set, and I knew they'd get a kick out of a repeat performance, so of course I had to do it. From there, the madness escalated quickly, and I was constantly scouring the jewellery boxes for more colour combinations. It was a fun and silly fad.

You may wander where this tangent is going. Well, when the class found out I was leaving, they asked if I'd wear my hair in the half-up style for the last day. Easy request for me to agree to, and it turns out they were making their own plans. On that final day, every girl in the senior class wore their hair in a half-up style with a scrunchie, and I cried. That's how I know I made an impact.

Most artists are hoping to make an impact in their work. Some have ambitions to change the world. I've personally never aimed quite so high, but I do hope my creative output makes an impression of some kind. However, I think I'd be most pleased if it resulted in quiet, gentle connections, much like a hairstyle tribute. Impact doesn't have to be flashy, and long-term impact probably won't be. I think a lot of us may need to reframe how we think about artistic impact. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if I have a greater impact as a teacher than as a director. But the two disciplines overlap, and even if they didn't, I will always be touched by knowing that my students have been changed (for good?) by our time together.