Like many kids, I fell in love with dance when I was five. Growing up in the Ukraine, my parents weren’t wealthy, but they did everything possible to make my dream of becoming a dancer–and later a dance teacher–possible.
When I opened my dance studio (Star Dance) in Ternopil, Ukraine, it was a natural choice for me to teach children the joy and freedom of expression through dance. I had young kids full of energy all the way to teenagers who wanted to take their dancing dreams seriously. Besides the basics of dance that I was showing my students, I was also learning how important it is to be intentional when building these relationships.
Balance Being a Friend And a Teacher
The most challenging thing I found was setting the boundaries of being a friend and an authority figure. Especially when one’s students are younger, it’s natural for them to become attached to you. This is even more so if dancing isn’t entirely accepted in their households or families.
You want your students to be engaged, put forth their best efforts, and feel safe and supported as they push their limits. But there’s a fine line between trying to be the “cool” teacher and remaining in control of your dance studio.
When I was young and part of the ensemble at Viklen Dance Studio, I was part of a troupe that traveled throughout Ukraine and performed with the People’s Artist of Ukraine, Stepan Giga. From my teachers’ example about walking that thin line, I was a natural fit to become captain of my aerobic sports team in school and later in university at Ternopil.
You can—and should—show them that you care about their well-being and concerns and validate them for their experiences. After all, they will be going through very similar situations that you did at their age, and it’s important to empathize with that.
However, a teacher’s role is to create structure and discipline while learning–precision and technique are critical, especially if the student is a group performance or dance team. Students must understand that while you may laugh and share light moments when it’s time to get to work, you are in charge of the lesson.
One of the most essential pieces of my teaching curriculum is blending discipline with creativity. By balancing letting the students express themselves in the way that feels most natural to them and emphasizing that even this expression needs to be intentional and precise, I’ve seen their confidence increase along with their success.
Mutual Respect Is the Key
Mutual respect is at the heart of being a teacher and a friend. By valuing your students’ individuality, you show them you respect their experiences and are here to help them grow.
I’ve found the best way to achieve this is in small gestures–whether it’s asking how they’d prefer to receive feedback, telling them a story of my past that will make them feel less alone, or even celebrating small milestones in technique.
I’m sure you remember the teachers who were always there with an encouraging story or a belief in your talent that you didn’t even have. It’s essential to be that teacher for your students today.
Hold your students accountable for their progress and show them empathy at the same time. This will demonstrate what they can achieve and how to move as confident individuals who lead with kindness.
I’ve had many triumphs with my students–big, like winning championships and titles, and small, like routines learned through endless repetition. Through it all, the honor of teaching them lights my way.