Fellow Dancers,
An introduction to one's true self. Just finished my 15th year of teaching for San Francisco Ballet's, Dance in schools program and I am more passionate now about the value of teaching children than ever. Specifically in the art of dance outreach in the public schools. The smiles, the laughter the movement.
The best way I have yet to describe my job is that I "Help guild the students to a more empowered sense of self."
This week alone watching the smiles of the little girl, unable to walk on her own, using a walker to move to the music of both my accompanist and recorded music. Another class of "troubled" kids, moving through space with clarity and control. In a way after years of dancing and teaching I find the outreach education personally to be more of a need/duty more than simply a desire to teach dance.
What is most sacred to me? The most sacred part of my week is when I look before me and there are 44 or so kids looking at me (Mr B) and I guild them through a variety of movement, music and dance. Striving always to become a better dance educator, reflecting on what went well and what needs work. My goal of becoming a true Master Dance Educator, a goal that will always be reached for, yet never achieved.
Although I help give scholarships to San Francisco Ballet School, through our program. It is the child that will never get such a scholarship, but nevertheless becomes a more self confident, aware person that interest me.
With a wife and two kids, I do my real estate ventures to keep the money flowing, yet when anyone asks me what I do, the answer is Dance Educator.
Now, most people I find have no real idea what that means, nor do many in the field of education. Yet my heart knows it's power. My soul knows that at least one of the hundreds of children I have the honor to teach have been guided to a happier, more in tuned awareness of their potential.
I invite you to share with me your ideas and thoughts on dance education in our schools. My dream is to create a quality dance/movement curriculum that can be implemented from public sea to shining pubic sea.
Let us dance together and help our next generation to understand the value and beauty of MOVEment,
with love,
Jim Brosnahan
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