A Good Dance Teacher
☙ The fact that you worry about being a good teacher, means you already are one. ❧
~ Jodi Picoult
I asked one of my students if she was looking forward to the new school year. She said, "Yeah, I like my teachers, so it should be good."
My stomach clenched, and my mind flooded:
If someone doesn't like their teacher, is the year inevitably ruined?
What if my students don't like me?
What if I ruin a year for someone?
What if I ruin dance for someone?
What if I ruin someone?
This kind of mental meltdown had happened before; in fact, it used to happen all the time. Every time a student acted out, didn't listen or didn't like something we were doing, I went to that place of I must be a lousy teacher.
First, the self-doubt, loss of confidence, and feelings of failure would hit me like a ton of bricks. Then, I'd start to get scared that I was scarring students because of how bad a teacher I must be.
We've all read about, heard about, or experienced firsthand the horrors of bad teachers that made life a living hell for students in the studio and, subsequently, for years and years later.
I know that I've made comments in the past that could have been harmful, and I have reacted so poorly to inattention or 'sub-par' participation that I wouldn't be surprised if I did ruin the experience for a student or two. For this, I’m sorry.
However, as I work on processing the death of my dance ego, I start to understand that there are things that teachers are responsible for and things they are not.
We could get philosophical and try to understand what is 'good' and what is 'bad,' but I'm not qualified or adept at coherently writing out my thoughts to tackle that enormous question. So what I can say, through my own experience, I have made decisions for myself on what constitutes a good dance teacher and what does not.
Good Dance Teachers set high expectations for their students.
That is, regarding classroom behaviour and how everyone interacts and treats each other.
❓How? They promote high levels of respect without intimidation or fear.
❓How? They are instrumental in developing self-awareness and teaching how to approach each class with as much focus and effort as possible while knowing that exertion levels may fluctuate daily.
❓How? They set the example of patience but do not tolerate disrespect.
For example, a group of young dancers may be good friends outside the studio and feel they can focus on each other more than on their teacher. Or, if one decides to run around the room, the others think that's a pass for them to do the same.
In a perfect world, here is what I think an excellent dance teacher would do:
⏸Pause. No words, no screaming, no clapping - pause. Bringing things to stillness is a powerful antidote to chaos. It may take a little time, but there will be students that respond to the quiet quickly, and if you can hold that space, there is a good chance everyone will arrive there before long.
⬇️Take a knee, sit crisscrossed, or squat down to their level and wait. Make eye contact. Be kind. This behaviour has absolutely nothing to do with you. I doubt any kid in a dance studio with their friends, moving to music and being a part of something they love, looks at their teacher and says to themselves, "Right. My teacher is the worst. I'm going to do everything I can in my power to make them feel helpless. MUAHAHA!" What is more likely is that they are not familiar with the formalities of the space, have momentarily forgotten, or at the very worst, are testing some boundaries.
🤫Speak softly* an example of the type of respect you want from them. Tell them:
You value them and their participation.
You care about yourself; you have an essential job helping students learn and love dance, and it is difficult for you to do a good job if there are big distractions.
And you value everyone in the class; you want them to learn in a safe environment.
Ask them to name a few ways to show that they also care. If this is too much to ask, tell them that they can offer you, their classmates and themselves that they care by:
Listening when someone else is talking.
Self-Hugging or tapping their legs when they have too much energy and find it hard to stand still.
Make eye contact or blink at you to show they are involved.
Keep their hands to themselves, so everyone feels safe in the best space to have a great class.
*A quiet voice will force them to listen. This technique is much more helpful than my previous go-to screaming.
I don't feel time-outs are as productive as I used to be. Instead, it says to a student they have a way out of participating, taking that way by acting against the expectations. I believe that formal exclusion is the absolute last resort. However, if violence or other forms of aggression put anybody in harm's way, removal from class may be the only option.
Good teachers are humanists who expect the best in everyone and help students with tangible ways to demonstrate mutual respect.
2. Good Dance Teachers are patient and supportive as their students rise to meet each challenge.
❓How? They understand plateaus, learning styles, and how to help students overcome setbacks or negative narratives.
These examples in the dance world range from "I can't turn" to "My body is wrong or not good enough." However, good dance teachers can turn these fears and doubts into an opportunity for mastery and actual achievement. They understand the body and how it physically and visually connects to music in fascinating ways and know there is no 'right way' or one way to do anything.
I am trying to re-approach my old habits and note when a teaching tactic works and doesn't. And rather than getting frustrated because a student hasn't been able to achieve what I'm asking, I look at how I'm framing the ask and maybe work to change it.
For example, there are so many different ways to approach turning. Pirouettes are layers of complex concepts and skills. Students are going to pick up things faster when it comes easier to them (obviously), and so are you:
Demonstrating?
Sharing images or diagrams?
Talking through each step?
Providing hands-on help (with consent, and if it is safe)?
Focusing on the mindset?
Using visualization?
Equating the task to other skills they can already do?
There is no perfect recipe for teaching ANYTHING, so a good dance teacher will experiment with many different ways of doing it because they know their students are as varied as the approaches. They view teaching as a craft and continually update their knowledge and resources to help others realize their potential.
3. Good Dance Teachers are organized and prepared for every class.
❓How? They understand and utilize professional boundaries.
❓How? They know their stuff but aren't afraid to ask for help.
🗝And they know their work is valuable and deserves excellent financial compensation.
Look - you can have your heart in the right place, but if you cannot survive because you're not being paid enough for your time or your knowledge, then it's not only you who will suffer. It helps to take care of yourself and know the following:
What you are teaching
Who you are teaching
When you are teaching
Your income for your teaching
If you are interested in learning more about my perspective on this, I have an online mini-course that discusses money, boundaries, and how to ensure you are being valued in your position. Contact us directly for more info at support@gmbdancer.com.
4. Good Dance Teachers encourage healthy minds and bodies.
Dance education benefits society because the arts promote healthy expressions of emotions, ideas, and perspectives. In addition, when done mindfully, dancing benefits the participant's physical fitness.
Good dance teachers benefit society at large and provide a safe environment for individuals who may feel excluded elsewhere. Dance asks us to bring our authentic selves to the experience, whether learning something for the first time in class or sharing a well-rehearsed number on stage. On top of that, good teachers are not afraid to inspire and set students' imaginations free, even in directions that may not necessarily be attached to dancing! More than preparing students for a dance-related profession, good dance teachers instill self-confidence, positive self-worth, and resiliency. And above all, they recognize students as people entitled to kindness, care, and safety, no matter who they are or where their paths take them.
So, for me, a Good Dance Teacher isn't about being liked; it's about providing a sturdy, safe, and stirring place for students to learn about what they love - or fall in love with learning about dance.
Of course, this doesn't quell the feelings of worry or fear that I'm not a great dance teacher from time to time, but if I stick to my values and what I believe to be my purpose, I can feel pretty sure that I'm at least a Good Dance Teacher.
What is a Good Dance Teacher to you? I would love to know your thoughts. 🥰
Yours Sincerely,
Miss Jen
