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The Growing Dance Educator Blog

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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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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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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On my journey...My Motivation engagement sustainability Sep 08, 2023

Who inspires you?

So if you’ve been following me on my journey you know that I took a leap of faith and moved from New York City to pursue my dream of becoming a professional dancer. My eyes were set for the stage but I just didn’t know how I would get there. What I did know is that many of my frie...

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On my journey...Oh the places you will go! sustainability Sep 01, 2023

Oh “So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

I have always known that there are some peop...

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Rekindling Your Passion: Rediscovering the Joy of Dance sustainability Aug 22, 2023

Do you find yourself missing the sheer joy of dancing? When you are in the classroom full time, it's easy to get caught up in teaching and forget the reasons we fell in love with dance. Let's explore five simple ways to reconnect with the joy of dancing and rediscover our "why."

Reflect on the Spar...

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