Teaching Portfolio

           As a dance educator, I aim to expand the minds of my students by constructing classes that are technically difficult, provoke thought, and encourage creativity and individuality. It is important to me, as an educator to generate classes framed around classical modern, floor work, contemporary ballet, partnering, and improvisational movement vocabularies that will prepare them for the professional dance world. As a teacher I would like to gage each class to the students needs because everyone has a different facility and places to improve. Energy is a major factor in a room full of dancers and it is important to show the students that you care by creating an open, nurturing environment with the teacher. Furthermore, this environment will encourage personal growth and self-discovery carving their own artistic paths.

           I come into every class that I teach with a general outline of things that I would like to accomplish that day, varying based on the style at hand. However, that being said I would start any class off with a check-in, to see how their bodies are doing and from there and decide how I can frame my class based off of them personally. With in a contemporary modern structure I would begin class with an aerobic warm up that gets them moving through the space both floor and center work that warms up their bodies for a rigorous class ahead. I would then work on specific muscles such as their core, biceps/triceps, gluteus maximus, etc. depending on the material being worked on that day. Following floor and center work, across the floor combinations would help solidify some of the concepts that continue to reappear and progress throughout the class. These combinations would then continue to grow and add on each week that is really focuses on the class lesson plan. Built into this lesson plan would then be an improvisational element that allows the students to work on their artistic voices. A great way to start this idea is through guided improvisations, that lead to deeper explorations and honest interactions with their classmates that will hopefully then carry over into their class work.

           My goal as a dance educator is to give my students many experiences that will help open up doors for them in the dance field. As a teacher it is important for myself to stay connected in the dance continuing to educate myself in world so I can pass that information along to my students who are just entering the field, foraging a way for themselves.