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Leaping Beyond Words! 

The Growing Dance Educator Blog

Reconnecting Beyond the Classroom engagement sustainability Nov 02, 2025

When I think back to my first years of teaching, one moment continues to rise to the surface: asking my students to journal. I don’t remember the exact theme of the assignment, but I do remember that two students wrote with raw honesty about absent fathers and the resentment that followed them like ...

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From Stage to Summit: Reflections from the 2025 NDEO National Conference advocacy engagement sustainability Oct 14, 2025

From Stage to Summit: Reflections from the 2025 NDEO National Conference

By Tamara Irving, Founder of TMI Design & Consulting

An Unforgettable Gathering of Movement and Meaning
Each year, the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) Conference brings together educators, artists, scholars, and l...

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Building Communities Through Dance Sep 05, 2025

When I think about the word community, I can’t help but think of how dance has always been the thread that ties mine together. From my days as a professional performer to my journey in the classroom, and now as the founder of TMI Design & Consulting, every step has been shaped by the people, organiz...

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From the Court to the Classroom: What Pro Dance Taught Me advocacy Jul 28, 2025

I’ve been watching America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on Netflix, and whew this latest episode where they go through their makeovers brought back so many memories.

Long before dance auditions had this level of intensity and production, I danced for the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team. Whil...

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The Road to 50: Recharge and Refocus sustainability Jun 30, 2025

They say age is just a number, but turning 49 this spring gave me more than a number it gave me a mission.

This next chapter is personal. I’m calling it The Road to 50 not just a countdown to a milestone birthday, but a commitment to become the strongest, clearest, most joy-filled version of myself...

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Reflecting on a Year of Growth engagement sustainability May 26, 2025

From creating backyard performances as a child to curating citywide events, leading dance intensives, and mentoring the next generation of artists, this season of life has reminded me that growth often shows up in quiet persistence and meaningful connection.

One of my most personal moments this yea...

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Advocacy Is a Dance Move: 5 Ways to Make Your Work Speak for Itself advocacy engagement Apr 28, 2025

Every rehearsal. Every newsletter. Every time you invite a guest choreographer. That’s advocacy. It’s not about shouting louder it’s about creating more opportunities for others to hear you.

Here are 5 specific moves you can do right now:

  1. Invite a school leader to class
    Even 15 minutes of their t...
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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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