As the 2013-2014 dance season comes to a close I have come to some realizations. Going into this season I was a little bit disappointed honestly. This would be my first season that I would no longer be a student at the studio I had been a student at for eleven years and had been a dance student in general for fifteen. Even though I am dancing at Meredith, I knew the entire season would be a little “weird.” No more spending over ten hours a week at the studio, teaching classes, competing at competitions and don’t forget managing school work and other extra-curricular activities on top of all that. It was now time to focus on college and teaching. It took me a while to realize that I am actually right where I need to be.

I am no longer dancing in twelve numbers every show, speeding through quick changes or struggling to find the energy to make it through my last dance. I now get the privilege to watch my students shine on stage in their beautiful costumes, dancing their hearts out. Throughout this past week there have been so many moments where I found myself not being able to stop smiling. My heart was full of joy as I walked into a dressing room full of my students and having fourteen precious little girls run up to me saying “Miss Brittany I am so excited to dance on the big stage!” followed by numerous hugs. I cannot count how many times I have been asked why I do what I do. Why do you drive home once a week just to teach kids how to dance? Why do you want to deal with children all the time? Because it’s what I love. It’s my passion. Even though there are many challenging days – it seems that everyone’s shoes come untied and everyone needs to go potty at the same time – there are many, many more rewarding days. Days like when I had a horrible day at school and then a students comes in and says “Miss Brittany, you look very pretty today!” or “Look I brought you this flower from my yard!” It’s all the artwork I receive and keep in a folder to look at when I have days I second guess that I am doing a good job. I’m pretty sure being a dance teacher is the only career that allows you to never really grow up. I can have fun and jam out to my Disney classics without feeling embarrassed because the kids are singing along with me. It’s feeling like a mother of forty and having the best form of birth control at the same time. If you would have told me three years ago that I would have tears in my eyes while watching four year olds dance on stage I would not have believed you. Seeing how much my students grow over nine months and all their hard work pay off on stage is worth all the stress and worry I have throughout the year. All the moments where I had choreographers block in my dorm room or had an entire class burst into tears at the same time do not matter. 

This year has made me realize even more what I want to do with my life. I have been given an amazing opportunity to be an influence on children’s lives. I hope that I can make each of them feel important and beautiful by sharing my love of dance with them. I hope they feel as accomplished as I do when they finally point their toes while doing leaps across the floors. I do not get to perform as much as I used to but I feel just as happy (if not happier) when I am teaching as I did when performing on stage and I never thought I would say that. Who cares if a dance teacher doesn’t make the list for the highest paying careers? Obviously the people making those choices are only counting the dollar amount they get paid and not the priceless memories you make from being a dance teacher. 

My students bring so much joy and laughter into my life. I am at my best in the studio teaching my sweet babies how to point their toes. I am learning life lessons and gaining experience for my future every day I am with them. My students have been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I strive to be a good role model and the best teacher for them. They will never know how much each and every one of them means to me. I see myself in them as they work hard to perform their dance on stage. So this post is to my students. Thank you for making me a better person, always making me laugh and helping me realize that I am right where I need to be – on the side of the stage watching each of you shine.