Building a Strong Classroom Community

Building a strong and vibrant community within a dance classroom requires a deliberate focus on creating a positive culture, nurturing environment, and recognizing the power of shared values. By fostering these elements, dance teachers can cultivate an inclusive and supportive community that inspires students to thrive and grow both as dancers and individuals.

First and foremost, establishing a positive culture is essential. This involves promoting respect, kindness, and empathy among students and instructors alike. Encouraging students to support and uplift one another

fosters a sense of belonging and unity within the classroom. Recognizing and celebrating individual achievements and unique strengths helps build self-confidence and reinforces a positive mindset throughout the community.

One way I like to start my season off to set the tone of a positive culture is to sit each of my classes down and talk about what they feel is important when it comes to a positive classroom. By giving them a voice in the matter, they are more invested. When the students are ages 8 and up I like to make a class poster for them. On this poster, they write what is important for their class for the season. This includes things like being kind, helping each other, giving 100%, and the golden rule always makes it on the poster “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

Creating a nurturing environment is equally important. Dance classrooms should be safe spaces where students feel comfortable expressing themselves freely without fear of judgment. Teachers can achieve this by actively listening to their students, being approachable, and providing

constructive feedback. Building trust and open lines of communication allow students to share their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations, fostering a sense of mutual understanding and support. When students are in a nurturing environment, they thrive. It is important for teachers to make sure they make every child feel seen, heard, and valued. This is one of the most important things a teacher can do.

Shared values act as the foundation for a cohesive community. There are a couple of ways you can use shared values to help build a community in the classroom. First would be sharing the studio's core values with your students. Another way is for dance instructors to establish a set of core values that align with their teaching philosophy and communicate them clearly to their students. Whether it's perseverance, dedication, teamwork, or artistic expression, these shared values create a sense of purpose and unity. Engaging students in discussions about these values and their importance cultivates a collective understanding and commitment to upholding them. Regular discussions, reflections, and activities centered around these values help reinforce their significance and build a strong sense of community. Our studio has a set of core values that we live by. We set up a yearly calendar with weekly themes for the classrooms and our core values are one of the themes each month. This is a great way to open up a discussion with the students, do an activity and bond with the students.

Another fun way is to do questions of the week with your students. This is a great way to get to know them and learn where there are shared values among the students. I like to have a question of the day during a specific stretch or exercise in class so the students are still active while we ask the questions.

In summary, building a community inside a dance classroom involves creating a positive culture, nurturing environment, and recognizing the power of shared values. By prioritizing these elements, dance teachers can foster an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers students to develop their skills, express themselves authentically, and thrive both as dancers and individuals.