Teaching With Love

I'm sure most of us have heard of a popular reality dance show that features a very strict teacher who often leaves her students and parents crying at the end of rehearsals and performances. However, in spite of her harsh words and brutal honestly, her students are phenomenal dancers.

But strict can't possibly be the only way to effectively train dancers. In fact, it is not.

Even at Ballet Petite, we believe in using the most care and kindness in the classroom to hone in the students' dancing ability and successfully teach them. Dance should be an enjoyable experience, not miserable or dreadful.

(Mary lovingly instructing a student at her studio in Waukesha.)

Mary McNulty Hayes is another teacher who firmly believes in teaching with love. In an interview with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, she says, "I teach with love, not fear. I know in my era, a lot of teaching was done through fear, and I just don't agree with that. I don't think you have to be that way. You can be serious, but you can do it in a calm or comical fashion [...] All of my kids are individuals, and even when they dance as a group, I treat them as individuals. I never, ever want a child to feel down on themselves when they leave the classroom. The more they push themselves, the more you don't have to."

And, what does Mary think about dance teachers on reality shows?

"Any professional looks at it as an embarrassing thing, because in no way do any of us agree with that dance teacher." (To read the entire interview, click here.)

Of course,sometimes it's parent and/or student preference. They may prefer a more strict teacher to to train with to push them a little more.

For the younger dancer, I don't think there's really any need to be so stern. Children that age are mostly dancing for fun!

As a dance teacher, I always try to be stern, but kind. I want my students to respect me and take me seriously, but I don't want them to be afraid of me and not want to come to class. That's probably my worst nightmare.

So teachers, be kind to your dancers, and they will love you for it! ♥ ♥ ♥

Happy dancing!

 

Miss Tess

tessc@balletpetite.com