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Leaping Beyond Words! 

The Growing Dance Educator Blog

Lessons from the Stage to the Classroom Mar 24, 2025

Some words stay with you forever.

"There is nothing to prove, only to share." These words, first spoken by Ulysses Dove, recently found their way back into my life. My daughter, preparing for her college dance auditions, was reminded of them by Renaldo Maurice, an extraordinary artist and dancer fr...

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Leaping Beyond Words: Why Dance Educators Love What They Do Feb 25, 2025

Dance educators are more than teachers, they are mentors, advocates, and passionate leaders who inspire through movement and heart. The love they pour into their work extends beyond choreography; it shapes lives, builds confidence, and nurtures self-expression. Here are 7 reasons why dance educators...

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Reflecting on Growth: A Mentor Teacher’s Journey Through Dance sustainability Jan 28, 2025

In the fast-paced world of dance education, few things are more rewarding than nurturing the next generation of teachers. As both a mentor and a leader in her district, Toshia Jackson has seen and experienced the transformation of the dance education field, especially as it relates to the growth of ...

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From Spirit Tunnels to the Stage—The Power of Community and Affirmation advocacy sustainability Jan 13, 2025

Lion King GIF by The Film Culture

There’s something magical about being surrounded by people who uplift you, cheer for you, and remind you that you have everything you need within you to succeed. I was reminded of this recently while watching The Jennifer Hudson Show and learning about their tradition of a “spirit tunnel.”

Before...

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🌟 Cultivating Creativity When You Feel Depleted 🌟 advocacy sustainability Jul 26, 2024

Hey there,

As we gear up for another exciting school year, I've been reflecting on the importance of nurturing our creativity, especially during challenging times.

In 2020, I had the opportunity to participate in a residency where I created a deeply personal piece titled By Faith. By Faith emerge...

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Honoring Black Resilience Through Dance: Celebrating Juneteenth and Acknowledging Our Dancestors advocacy Jun 19, 2024

Juneteenth, often referred to as our country’s second Independence Day, holds profound significance in the African American community. Despite its historical importance, many Americans remain unaware of this monumental event. 

Juneteenth marks the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas...

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Finding Sustainable Solutions for Wellness: A Personal Journey sustainability May 20, 2024

As dance educators, we often find ourselves juggling numerous responsibilities while striving to maintain the well-being of our dance programs. It's a challenging balance that requires constant effort and dedication. Recently, I've noticed that many of the teachers I work with have been seeking advi...

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Bringing Visibility to Your Dance Program: The Art of Event Planning advocacy engagement logistics production design Apr 15, 2024

Listen, I get it!!! As dedicated dance teachers, you pour your heart and soul into your program, constantly striving to create memorable experiences for your students. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of lesson planning, rehearsals, and performances, it's easy for some of your most remarkable a...

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A Passion for Sharing engagement sustainability Mar 19, 2024

As a dancer and educator, my journey is never just about teaching movement; it's always been about so much more. When teaching, I am also receiving energy from those around me and this is what sustains you in the career. When I was on stage the energy happened through smiles in the audience, the eye...

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Embracing Growth: My Journey from the Stage to the Classroom logistics sustainability Feb 18, 2024

Transitioning from the stage to the classroom was a transformative experience, filled with challenges and rewards. Here are three key takeaways from my journey:

📚 Continuous Learning: Pursuing a Master's in Dance Education (M.A.D.E.) at UNCG Greensboro was a pivotal decision that expanded my knowle...

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Creating Dance for Social Change: Empowering Students to Make a Difference advocacy engagement production design Jan 29, 2024

Dance, as an art form, has the incredible power to transcend the stage and become a catalyst for social change. It all starts with a conversation with your students. For me, I was having a tough time with one particular class. In that class there were a lot of leaders…think captain of the dance team...

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Creating a Thriving Dance Program: Strategies for Dance Educators Jan 02, 2024

I used to think that my program wasn't able to thrive. There were missing pieces that I couldn't figure out. I wanted to create a program that everyone raved about, including me. Building a successful dance program goes beyond teaching the technique of dance; it's about program development and creat...

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