Teaching Philosophy

My inspiration to become a dance educator came from my parents, both of whom are music educators. I grew up witnessing them foster the arts within their students and respective school programs. This continues to inspire me to this day. My faith has also been part of my life since childhood. These important life aspects shape who I am as an educator. 

As a dance educator, I want to invite students into the dance room no matter their socio economic status or previous experience within the dance world. I want them to feel as though they belong and can thrive in the space. This includes continued education and re-education on cultural responsiveness and sustainability. I have learned, processed and addressed implicit biases that could be present and commit to this as an ongoing practice.

Within the lens of dance history education, I pledge to provide factual information based on the truth and allow the students’ points of view and life experience to exist and hopefully thrive within the space. This includes dancers,choreographers and essential figures in the dance world that students can relate and connect to. I also pledge to providing dance education experiences that encompasses all aspects. This includes appropriate garments, music and genre specific equipment. This entails ensuring my students receive dance experiences that one would receive in the private dance education sector. Elements like genre specific costumes boost moral of the students and their perspective of their abilities.  

My expectations are high for my students. This is because, no matter the students life hurdles, they are capable of rising to those expectations. I care for my students and want them to be the best dancer they can be. This includes a high work ethic and focus which is reiterated at the beginning of each rehearsal/class. I relate to the saying “work hard, play hard”. Students who work hard will reap the rewards in the end!

I wish for my students a dance experience that will stay in their hearts no matter what profession they end up in. The values and lessons that carry throughout a dance education can apply through many life experiences and different careers. For my students specifically, they might not share directly that you are making a difference in their lives, but, there is no doubt a seed is planted for their future success.