I spent the entire summer NOT thinking about dance. No choreography ideas. No class planning. And while I did talk to my SO and fellow teachers about this new dance season and recital ideas, I really felt no spark or enthusiasm.

I started to question if I should continue to teach (been doing this for 20 years now).

Then on Saturday which was our first day of class, my class of 4 year olds (almost all of whom were in my 3 year old class last year) started. Two students nearly knocked parents down to run over and hug me. And they all were so attentive and well behaved. They totally knew what to do and when to do it. My heart melted and I regained that feeling of passion for my job.

Now I am like a whirlwind of ideas and I can't wait to teach my older girls this week. I have been watching everything I can with dance - recital videos, instructional videos, youtube. I feel so re-inspired... all because of a bunch of cute little 4 year olds.

Go figure

I love my minis more than anything. They are so eager! I always thought that I would much more enjoy teaching advanced kids, but now that I teach both, I realize how much I enjoy the youngest of the young. They are so fun and they will never forget you. I have girls on University pom squads now that still call me "Miss Leah". Glad you are rejuvenated. Keep it up!

tapgirl1 wrote:

I feel so re-inspired... all because of a bunch of cute little 4 year olds.

Go figure

Gratitude is one of those emotions that keep instructors inspired and there is nothing like the love and appreciation that comes from the 3 - 5 year olds.

All I have to hear is how one of my little ones has a picture of me and her hugging after the recital on her dresser at home and my world is complete.

Four year old hugs are so genuine. Lovvvvvvve preschool babies.

I have lost my passion a few times over the years, but it never lasts. I do not teach the very young ones, 6 is my youngest, but to have the kids, any age, come up and be happy to see you again, is just awesome.

I do not teach in the summer. Another of many reasons why I retired from owning my school, because even when I was not teaching, I was still working. Therefore, I did not see my students after our last competition in July, and then it was only a few. They keep in touch on FB but when I had my first classes last week, they all came over to me to say hi and give me hugs. Boy, does that perk someone up!!!

Do not feel bad that you had lost your passion. It is normal. We cannot be UP all of the time, and with any job, in and out of the arts, inspiration and passion will come and go.

^So true. You can't be UP all the time. That was a really good way to describe it JLL.

The job is so demanding in a performance sort of way. Teaching is kind of like being on stage yourself...always performing through classes to keep dancers entertained, involved, improving, and in love with dance...so hard to do.

It makes sense that we need "down time" from our "up time".

Rockstep wrote:

It makes sense that we need "down time" from our "up time".

Well put!!

I was there too this summer. Lost my senior students for alot of varying reasons (moving, school, extracurriculars, etc.) It hurt like heck since I'd had some of these students since they were tots.

I'm the only teacher for Highland up here and the response is meh, since it doesn't have hockey sticks or ballet shoes and isn't as well known. I figured I'd give it a go one more time, advertise a bit more than usual and if there was no response, I'd pack it in.

Well, lo and behold there was response. I was still tentative about teaching until the first class. Now I am super motivated even though I feel I'm starting from scratch. But luckily, I havev a slew of talent that signed up and it should prove to be a fun, productive year!

Thanks for all your responses and words of wisdom! There have been few times that I had ever felt that way and usually it was only for a day or two! So this was a first for me! It has been so nice to see how excited all the kids are to be back at dance and that has continued to help me too!

I seriously could count on one hand the amount of times that I feel like I don't want to go to work when I am teaching. I consider myself very lucky to get paid (and pretty well, might I add) to do what comes natural and what I love!

Thanks again everyone!

It sounds like this post has pretty well run it's course, but I've been wanting to talk about this. I taught for 20+ years, was an SO then sold my studio and took three years off (!!)
This August a dance teacher postion with a nearby school became open so I took it and am teaching more than ever. It's a bit strange to be an employee now, but it leaves me free to love teaching again. After all, it's what I do...I really needed time to hit the "re-set" button, I guess.

That is exactly what happened with me!! I had a thriving dance studio, making money, growing every year and all that I ever wanted it to be, but passion was gone. I just did not wan to do it. I had things, some horrific, pass in my life, that just took the joy out of it for me. I even intended to quit teaching, but that only lasted for a few months, lol.

Although, I am not teaching as much as I did, when I had my school, between my classes and running their competition company, I make a nice salary, still have time for my granddaughter, the rest of my family and time for me, something that I had not had in a very long time.