It seems like it never stops…
I am always thinking life will slow down but a dancer teacher’s life is so cyclical. Fall registration, costume ordering, Christmas shows, annual photos, competitions, parent observation, recital time, and summer intensives. For me, it is all of the above, PLUS I travel extensively to teach for others, choreograph and judge throughout the country, and add that I have a four-year-old and a husband that occasionally like to see me!
I have had to battle for the love of dance. My husband continually begs me to get a 'normal' job. Something where I am home at 5pm, cook supper for my family, and where we all spend more time together. He hates that I am so knowledgeable about dance but can’t remember to pick up the dry cleaning. He gets frustrated that competitions take me out of town so often and he really can’t handle watching my reality dance shows!
But late one night, after a long day of rehearsals I was laying on the couch, still in my sweats from rehearsal that morning. There was a knock at the door at 7pm on a Saturday evening. I looked out the door and saw 25 teenage faces smiling and jumping around. My advanced class had decided to come and surprise me simply because they wanted to thank me for what I do for them and the sacrifices I make. The precious girls cascaded into my house unannounced, presented me with a much too expensive gift, flowers, and a giant card with words from each girl that sent tears down my face.
After the girls had left, my husband said 'Those girls sure do love you. You are really lucky'
I know I am beyond lucky to be a dance teacher. I love that I can put on sweatpants and put my hair in a ponytail and say that 'I am going to work'. I adore that years after teaching a student, I still get letters of how I shaped who they are. I love that my son is greeted by multitudes of hugs and kisses when he makes an appearance at the dance studio. I love how I can look back at my personal life by seeing my choreography change throughout my life and I cherish how my job involves children who I can shape and mold into great dancers.
But most of all, I love how dance has allowed me to create, love, share, give, and educate with others. For all that dance often 'takes' from me, it gives back tenfold. As you approach your new season, remember how you are CHANGING the lives of your dancers. Twenty years from now, they probably won’t remember how you taught them to tendu, but they will likely lovingly recall everything else you did with them from the deep talks, to the out-of-town trips, the studio lock-ins, and the backstage fun. Go into this season making golden memories, not just for your students but for yourself.Dig deeper to give more of yourself to your students and you will see the results both in their dancing and in their love for you. Go change lives and have a great Fall season!