I’m a full-time dance specialist in a public elementary school. This Seattle school has wonderful kids from the US & all over the world, whose families care passionately about their success. The majority of my students (98%) are members of a “minority.” Two-thirds qualify for free-and-reduced lunches; two-thirds are bilingual. Languages include English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cham, Tagalog, Amharic, Somalian, Cambodian, Mien, Toishanese, Laotian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Swahili, and Ilokano. They provide me with daily laughs, troubles, frustrations, stories, and joys.
Dance education is scarce and oft misunderstood, with a meager foothold in education. The life of a dance educator can be both exhilarating and lonely… working, puzzling, reflecting, and rejoicing in isolation. It’s thrilling when students are ignited by their own ideas or caught by momentum. Thought-provoking when it all comes together — or doesn’t. Consuming, as we struggle alone to assess, teach, reflect, and improve…
I take my dancepulse daily, thinking where I’ve been and where I’m going. This blog exists to create a place for communicating with others about dance in the classroom — certainly not daily, but when I get a chance. Perhaps you’d like to share stories, ideas, inspirations, frustrations, reflections, and camaraderie? Please join the conversation –
Meg Mahoney 
Just discovered your blog! Thanks so much for adding me to your blogroll. I will return the favor. I look forward to reading more about your experiences in the classroom. Your unique perspective is a great addition to the blogosphere!
Thanks for finding me! I haven’t let very many people know I’m here yet. I certainly enjoy your thoughts, when I happen by!
Just wanted to suggest Google Reader for keeping track of any blogs (or websites) you like to read via an RSS feed. It really helps me out, it’s free, and I don’t miss the good stuff- like your blog!
Feel free to contact me if you’re not sure how it works.
I really love your site! Very interesting perspective and I look forward to reading more!
Great site! I am in a graduate teaching program currently (at Evergreen State). I’m also a dancer and will start teaching beginner ballet classes for boys next month at a studio. I have started a website to help males overcome the stigma of expressing themselves through dance. I’m hoping to add a dance endorsement and teach dance in public schools as well as the Social Studies and English Language Arts endorsements I’m currently working on. This site is very helpful. Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by! I’m thrilled that you’re planning on a dance endorsement — there are so few certificated teachers with dance qualifications in Washington. I enjoyed your website — I subscribed, and you can look for it on my links. Keep in touch!
what a wonderful find
Thanks Nichelle for the link.. I’m a ballet teacher. Spent many years in Seattle studying with PNB and getting a master’s in Physiology; sadly the Dance Kinesiology program folded in ‘82. But now located in Portland, looking for venues to share my passion for ballet. Glad to find you here.
Thanks for reading and commenting! Best wishes for finding your niche in Portland!
I just came across your blog and wish that I could have met you a month ago. I produce an event called the World of Dance Tour. We just completed our Seattle event July 24th, 2010. I would have loved to donate tickets on your behalf to some of your students.
take a look at my sites. http://www.worldofdancetour.com
http://www.worldofdance.com
maybe there are ways to work together in the future?
Some of my kids would love to see your shows & donated tickets would certainly be a way for them. Thanks for the thought! mahoney.megr@gmail.com