I have spent a good majority of my life dancing. I remember when I was younger thinking the older girls were so cool. I loved hearing their conversations about teenager things and not to mention, they could drive! I thought that high school and college were so far away. It amazes me how quickly time goes by.
Growing up, I had older girls assist the classes that I was in. I watched them begin to teach and little did I know, I would end up doing the same thing. After graduating high school, I began teaching. I was n 18 year old in college just glad to have more freedom and not be in high school anymore. I had a different mentality. I love dancing but after some time, I began to appreciate more than just teaching a class. I began to appreciate the lessons that I learned and continue to learn from my students and take them into my life outside the studio walls.
1. Laughter is the best medicine
I don't believe I have ever taught a class without someone cracking a joke, making a face, or doing something that makes me giggle. I probably shouldn't laugh at some of the things, but there is nothing like having a room full of kids laughing together (especially a room of 4 and 5 year olds). It makes my day.
2. Do not sweat the little things
Every week, I watch my younger students come in looking to see if their favorite color dot is out and open for them for warm up. Sometimes it is, but when it isn't, there can be breakdowns. These breakdowns last maybe 5 seconds then it's over. It amazes me. Kids care about the littlest things but forget that it even upset them just moments later and just become happy again.
3. Patience is key
Sometimes my lesson plans can be a bit tricky. I like to set the bar pretty high. However, when I can tell they are getting frustrated, I begin to get frustrated. Sometimes going back a couple steps to the basics is necessary. It takes time to learn and pick up on the technique needed for what I know they will eventually do. Everyone learns differently at different times.
4. It is important to have fun
"Miss Janelle can we play the animal song? What about Bop Til You Drop?" These are the questions I get asked numerous times every class. While I may know every single word to each song and sometimes hear it in my sleep, it is important to me to have something fun for them to look forward to at the end of class. Yes I do play with them, I can't resist.
5. There are eyes and ears everywhere
No matter if there are 4 year olds in the room or 14 year olds, they hear and see everything I do. While I try and use that on them, I find that they use it more on me. There is a time and a place for everything. Most of my students have picked up on my lingo. They know that I usually have a louder voice when I get excited about something or whisper if I want them to pay attention. They know my body language and faces for basically every emotion.
6. Love each other
Hearing "Hi Miss Janelle!" and getting a hug makes my day every day. On the days that I'm not in the best mood, it instantly changes.There are times when someone notices things that may be different on me or each other. I have never heard anything other than compliments which can make anyone feel good. I had a student recently get her leap that she has been working on. It got silent, then I heard someone cheer for her followed by the rest of the class. From that moment on, everyone was encouraging each other. Seeing young girls support each other is a sight and feeling like no other.
While all of my students are probably in school taking tests, eating lunch, doing work, thinking about elementary/middle/high school things, I hope that they know that even though I am their teacher, I learn just as much from them as I hope they learn from me. Becoming a teacher during this stage of my life could not have been more perfect timing.
