Back-to-School Resolutions for Dance Teachers

As a dance teacher, starting a new school year is one of the most exciting times. Meeting students and parents and developing fresh ideas for classes can be exhilarating! However, it's also a time for fresh starts. A time to consider what you are going to do differently this year. Before you are in the thick of show season or comp season, take some time to reflect on goals that will help you stay energized throughout the school year. Consider these back-to-school resolutions as thoughtful reminders of how you can reinvigorate your passion for teaching dance while still prioritizing self-care in order to find joy within yourself this upcoming season. Here are some ideas: 

Prioritize Self-Care

This year we are taking care of ourselves! Taking care of yourself is crucial for your overall health and preventing burnout. Dance teachers are BUSY, and it can be easy to overcommit ourselves and neglect our own needs. However, it's important to prioritize self-care and make time for activities that bring us joy and relaxation. So, take that Epsom salt bath, and do something you like to do. Whatever rejuvenates your soul. Your physical and mental health will thank you for it! 

Find Joy

Listen. We're all for technique, but it doesn't have to feel like a chore. Injecting some fun into your lessons is not only enjoyable for your students, but it can also make the teaching experience more enjoyable for you as well. Incorporating games and creative exercises that challenge your students to think and move in new ways can make the class fly by. Additionally, introducing new music can liven up the atmosphere and motivate your dancers to keep up their energy. Make dance teaching a fun and creative experience, and your students will love it!

Let's Inspire

In addition to finding joy in your teaching, let's motivate our students this year. Dance teaches us skills that can be taken outside of the studio. Whether it's a class focused on self-expression or one that pushes dancers outside their comfort zone, infusing passion and purpose into your lessons will keep your dancers engaged and eager to learn. A well-planned and inspiring class creates a positive learning environment and empowers your students to become confident and successful individuals on and off the dance floor. 

Foster a Healthy Class Dynamic

This year, we are letting GO of drama in the classroom. We don't need it! Creating a positive and healthy classroom dynamic is essential for the growth and success of all students. Rejecting toxic competitiveness and negative behaviors can be challenging, but it's crucial for students to enter the dance community knowing the importance of kindness and support. Encouraging collaboration, celebrating individual strengths, and promoting positive self-talk can help foster a non-toxic environment, allowing students to thrive and reach their full potential. Let's work together to build a classroom community that fosters a love of learning, a sense of belonging, and compassion for one another.

Set Specific Goals and Objectives 

As educators, it's easy to fall into the trap of aimlessly teaching lesson after lesson without a clear plan of what we want our students to achieve. Setting year-long goals can provide direction and a sense of purpose in the classroom. We can create lessons that work towards those goals by establishing specific targets, giving our students a clear path toward growth and progress. Developing and refining these objectives may take some time, but the effort will be well worth it in the long run. So don't shy away from setting goals for your students this year - and sharing them with your students!

All of these back-to-school resolutions are just a few ideas when it comes to leveling up this year. Investing in yourself and the quality of your classes will pay dividends come recital time. As teachers, we have an incredible platform to impart knowledge and shape and empower our students' emotions and relationships for the better. Let's commit to nurturing our dancers' thoughts and cultivating an inspiring environment rather than judgmental or critical. And if you still need extra help before starting the new year of dancing, visit our website for educational materials like syllabi and our free choreo planner!