Finding Sustainable Solutions for Wellness: A Personal Journey

As dance educators, we often find ourselves juggling numerous responsibilities while striving to maintain the well-being of our dance programs. It's a challenging balance that requires constant effort and dedication. Recently, I've noticed that many of the teachers I work with have been seeking advice on how to navigate the complexities of their roles without succumbing to frustration or burnout.

Reflecting on my own experience as a former dance program director for 12 years, I understand the struggles and pressures that dance educators face on a daily basis. From managing curriculum development to advocating for the importance of dance education, the demands can sometimes feel overwhelming.

In my journey to support and empower fellow dance educators, I've come to realize the importance of finding sustainable solutions for maintaining wellness in our dance programs. It's not about avoiding challenges or pretending that everything is perfect; rather, it's about adopting strategies that promote resilience, growth, and fulfillment.

Inspired by an insightful article I recently came across, which highlights the importance of eliminating certain verbs from our lives to improve overall happiness and life satisfaction, I've been exploring ways to apply this concept to the realm of dance education.

Here are some key takeaways and actionable tips for dance educators seeking to enhance their well-being and find sustainable solutions for their programs:

Eliminate Complaining, Focus on Problem-Solving: Instead of dwelling on the challenges and frustrations in our dance programs, let's shift our mindset towards proactive problem-solving. In our professional development sessions, we start off by sharing “Grows and Glows”! This is helpful because we all have similar problems in our dance program, so instead of going down that rabbit hole, we share our highlights instead. 

Replace "Struggling" with "Adapting": Rather than viewing obstacles as insurmountable struggles, embrace them as opportunities for growth and adaptation. Cultivate a culture of resilience and flexibility within your dance program, where both educators and students are encouraged to embrace change and learn from setbacks. Go from this…. “I struggle with classroom management of eager and hype freshman” to this…. ”I will learn to adapt to the high energy of my freshman dancers and channel their hypeness to engagement”.

Prioritize Self-Care and Boundaries: As dance educators, we often put the needs of our students and programs above our own well-being. However, it's essential to prioritize self-care and set boundaries to prevent burnout. Schedule regular breaks, engage in activities that bring you joy outside of dance, and seek support from colleagues and mentors when needed. There’s nothing better than talking with someone outside the field of education to give you a dose of reality! They have no problem setting boundaries and can likely give you some ideas to create long term “soul care”. My fave short term way to set boundaries was to always finish my morning tea in peace before I started my teaching or talking to any student for the day ha! It worked! 

Celebrate Progress and Small Wins: In the midst of busy schedules and demanding responsibilities, it's easy to overlook the progress and achievements within our dance programs. Take time to celebrate small wins, whether it's a successful performance, a breakthrough moment in rehearsal, or a positive feedback from students. Recognizing and acknowledging these moments can boost morale and motivation. I loved a good sharing session with my students the days after performances. We would watch the performance video, laugh, and talk about any mistakes or fun discoveries. This could serve as an informal assessment but it was worth it gathering in conversation about dance. 

Embrace Continuous Learning and Growth: The field of dance education is constantly evolving, and there's always room for growth and improvement. Stay curious, seek out professional development opportunities, and be open to experimenting with new teaching methods and approaches. Embrace a growth mindset that values lifelong learning and continuous improvement. I found that by attending dance education conferences, I grew out of my comfort zone and I met new people that I keep in touch with to this day! There’s nothing like being in a room with people that have the same love and dedication to dance from all around the country. 

By adopting some of these strategies, we will no doubt create a culture of well-being and sustainability within our dance programs. As always, I'm here to provide guidance and support as you navigate the challenges and joys of being a dance educator.