“I have the best job in the world!”
How many people do you know would say this?
Ever since I was a small child I knew I wanted to be a dancer. After decades of training and then dancing professionally I came to a fork in the road. It was time for a change and this change presented itself in the form of teaching.
To me, teaching was another whole learning curve, and I embraced it with enthusiasm. Through my students, teacher training and desire to grow, I have learned so much over the decades (and I continue to grow everyday). It is with reflection I have come to a realization and understanding of what it truly means to be a dance teacher.
My first experience in teaching was in a commercial studio where some students aspired to become professional dancers while others just loved to dance with no desire to go beyond the studio. Having both in the same class could present it’s challenges for a new instructor. This is when I realized I wasn’t just teaching dance steps but life skills as well. It is a huge responsibility and I one I took seriously. Besides the dance elements I was also teaching these young minds about setting goals, working in a group or alone, commitment, focus, work ethics, confidence and so much more. Many of my former students tell me it’s because of dance they realized their goals later on in life.
Another aspect of being a teacher that is vital is to provide a safe environment. To do this a teacher must understand the developmental stages of children in order to offer safe and age appropriate training. There is also the anatomical knowledge needed to help each dancer achieve the technique while protecting them from injury. This promises students who can dance for decades to come. One of my most rewarding experiences is having former students return to take classes with me as adults.
Another form of safe is in the environment we as teachers create. When a student feels safe they are free to explore their potential without fear. One way I have presented this is in having the students create the class etiquette with the guideline of “how do we make this a positive experience for everyone” (that includes the instructor). With this method everyone feels responsible and part of the space they dance in.
As a teacher if I want to continue to see my students grow then I must also grow. One way is by continuing to attend teacher conferences and training courses. This feeds both my body and mind so that I am always feeling recharged and excited to get back working with my students.
Besides having all the “tools” for being a good instructor there is one thing that is critical. PASSION. Passion for dance, passion for learning, passion for sharing your knowledge, passion for your students. It is vital. Your students will know the difference.
Finally I have realized this: This isn’t just a job for me this is my life. I feel honoured to have the privilege of mentoring these young people. Each one of my students are important to me and the bonds we build go beyond the studio. I realize I have been given a gift and that gift is being a DANCE TEACHER.
And this is why I can say “I have the best job in the world!”