zesty.

Teaching dance and yoga to teenagers daily is rewarding, challenging, and endlessly engaging. The amount of stories I could share about being an educator to these kids are endless. But today we will focus on the closing of the school year...

A teacher's last day with students is always bitter sweet. There are some classes or students that you wish you could stay with forever. This is the class or student you look forward to seeing everyday. This is the class or student that you go home and stay up at night obsessing about (in the most appropriate way). These students fuel you with so much joy and satisfaction that you go the extra mile even when you are running on empty. Because they deserve it.

And then there are those classes or students that you are so proud of yourself for not breaking down into to tears after spending 50 minutes with because no matter how hard to you try, you will never gain their upmost attention and energy. Those students can easily tear you down if you let them. But you try your best to learn from them in order to make yourself a better educator. These students shake you to your core and make you question and reflect constantly. But you never give up on them. Most likely these students act in a disrespectful way because people eventually do give up on them. And they do not deserve that.

On the last day of school, I asked my students to take five minutes to write a reflection on the semester. Students were asked to write about their favorite units, their strengths and weaknesses, their growth, etc.; anything worth communicating to me. With little hesitation, students began organizing their thoughts on paper while I sat and watched the movement of their pens shape the page. Once the reflections were complete, I asked them to re-read what they wrote and circle one word that stood out to them and summarized their experience in class. That word was then written on a recycled index card.

By the end of the day I received over 100 influential words. Later at home, I sat on my back patio and read my student's reflections and flipped through the index cards. I was blown away by their honesty and their ability to appreciate not only my efforts as their teacher, but their personal growth. Not only physical growth, but mental growth. Every index card included a word that resemble empowerment and positive influence. Some of my favorite words include: Beyonce, Goddess, enjoy, motivation, and zesty.

The reflection papers overwhelming discussed student's ability to feel confident. My favorite writing came from a student who suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; a condition in which she has a collagen deficiency. She states that she has always suffered from self images issues, but the Dance Fitness class she enrolled in helped her to feel more confident and assured. She closes the reflection with saying "I am excited to take this class next year and become a stronger person and dancer."

A stronger person.

Yes girl...Yes. I do believe that is what we want in the world: stronger individuals. Stronger individuals who love to dance. Who love to move no matter what physical or mental handicaps may get in their way.

I want my students to learn that movement is empowering. I want my students to walk into the dance or yoga studio and feel zesty.

Not an easy task, but I’m up for the challenge. Who’s with me?

The beautiful Jenny Gaither is on board and making big strides by starting her own non-for-profit organization that dares us all to bare our insecurities. Check out Movemeant Foundation for more information and motivation. Over 30 inspirational leaders from across the country who help defy what’s possible when it comes to getting people moving were chosen as Dare to Bare Ambassadors. I’m honored to be included and will be leading my own mini “Dare to Bare” challenges over the next six months. Stay tuned, things are about to get zesty!

#meanttomove #mover #dancer #movemeant #daretobareambassador