I have always wanted to be a dance educator. I did not know what I wanted to teach exactly, but all I knew was that I wanted to be a teacher. I love working with children and love dancing. I put my two favorite things together and decided on a dance teacher. I want to work in public high schools and work with students who have different levels of dance experience. I want to teach my students technique, but also, life lessons and make a positive impact on their lives.
I would also love to work in elementary schools and just have fun in class with the children. In an elementary school setting, I would not want to focus on technique other than a simple plie and some tendus. I want the children to learn about the creative aspect of dance and teach them life lessons that they can use in their later life.
I also thought of teaching in elementary schools as taking the lazy way of teaching. I never wanted to teach young children even though I loved working with them in a none school setting. I loved working as a camp counselor and as a nanny. I did not have to think about dance and the children’s’ future in dance. I also used to be so worried about losing children’s’ focus. In class by teaching them technique, I realized that teaching children at a young age is not all about the technique factor of dance, but more about the creative factor. The creative factor of dance keeps their minds wandering and wondering about the topic shown. I used to think working with young children was easy and anyone could do it. I think working with young ones takes a special person with a big heart and patience. I think that special person is me.
I want to teach my students life lessons and give back to my past dance life form. My teachers throughout my life have always taught me important life lessons especially when it came to teaching. A couple very important life lessons that I think every child needs to learn is to treat others with respect and to be kind to every person. Children can learn to care for other people through dance.
As a teacher, I want to teach children of all ages how to love, respect, and be kind to others. Even through dancing, but also in general, through life. I want to teach children dance through creative aspects in dance.