The other day my dad I were chatting and he said “it’s been so long since you’ve blogged. You were always a good writer, why don’t you?” and my response was “because these days if I write anything I’ll probably just make someone mad and to be honest, I’m not sure I really care to have people know what I think.” But then, of course, my brain started going. Honestly, the things I want to write about are about parent/teacher/student dynamics….. and yes, that will probably make people mad… but maybe there’s a reason I’ve done so much soul-searching, talking to other directors, am now a parent, and maybe, just maybe I can offer a perspective on either side. I am a Libra through and through after all. A see-it-from-all-sides kind of person, and I trust that I genuinely want to help people. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. And maybe 4 years from now I’ll come back to this blog post and cringe (like I just did for my past blog posts). So here goes!

Dance Moms. Toxic.

Dance Teachers. Toxic.

Studio Owners. Toxic.

Fair?

Absolutely not.

Being a studio director and dance teacher, I’ve spent a lot of time over the last 9 years, working with people. Over these years I’ve seen many a justifiable rant from a dance parent, and many a justifiable rant from dance directors and teachers.

After all, who’s heard this or said it themselves?

“It’s not the kids that are the problem, it’s the parents.”

“These teachers are bullies. I sure wouldn’t do it like that.”

Now as a mom myself, and understanding that most parents really just want to offer their kids the most support and understanding they can, and as teacher, that is genuinely trying to teach lessons but has felt questioned without actually being asked questions… I may be starting something that could get me into trouble….but I truly pray it could be helpful. So here’s a series called What We Want You To Know.

Now let me preface this with working with people can be amazing. It is so fulfilling to watch kids grow, to see them excel, succeed, and move on to beautiful lives after they leave your studio. It can also be HURTFUL. You wouldn’t believe some of the things that have been said to me (everyone should work in customer service at some point in their lives). And at times, I have taken that hurt so personally that I have become defensive before I ever needed to be. There is a time in my life that I wish I could go back and heal that person before I projected, but grace and moving forward is a very important lesson in and of itself. I also understand now what is hurt manifesting itself, and what is communicating honestly (even if people don’t like it).

So, as I get started going down this rabbit-hole of what teachers want parents to know, what parents want teachers to know, what students wants parents to know, what students want teachers to know, what whoever just wants whoever to know…. I’ll start with this…. What We Want You To Know: WE’RE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM.