This week was parent observation week at the dance studio. It’s kind of a strange thing for me. The studio where I danced growing up was part of the city arts center and has large windows where any parent (and any stranger wandering through for that matter) can watch class anytime they want. Most dance studios I’ve taught at however do not have windows for parents to watch and so many offer parents the opportunity to sit in the studio and observe class once in a while (usually twice a year).
This time I got to experience parent observation week as both a teacher and a parent and, honestly, both were a little awkward for me. As a teacher, any time there are observers in my class I get self-conscious. Not because I worry if I’m doing something wrong but because non-dancers or dancers with different backgrounds may not understand my methods and teaching system. I had the same feelings whenever I had observers in my pre-school classrooms as well. I base my practices on research and what are considered “best practices” and to people who don’t have a current understanding of dance/early childhood my style may seem unusual or unconventional.
Observing Honeybun’s class this week as a parent was also very strange. For one, being a teacher myself with lots of experience teaching young ones I of course naturally analyze teaching methods. It’s also especially strange because the teacher and the teacher assistant are both my students now which makes my role a bit dual-sided and ambiguous and I’m not sure where my place is in the situation. I’m definitely not the type of mom that sits in class and directs my child, that is the teachers’ job (even though I’ve been teaching longer than they’ve been alive…). I do however, follow up with Honeybun to make sure she is understanding things and doing them in a safe and age appropriate way. I also pointed out some deficiencies in the student/teacher technique but did not feel comfortable critiquing their teaching as I’m still new to teaching at the studio and haven’t figured out my place.
I’m sure in time I’ll find a balance between being a Dance Mom and a Dance Teacher but am still definitely struggling with the “Battle of Mommy vs. Educator” in me.
