The Perils of the Dance World
Today was hard. Really hard.
I know that I sometimes complain here about work, but no matter how crappy a job there is always one constant, my love for my students. I do not have children of my own, instead I have this huge dance family, I consider myself a mom of sorts to over a hundred kids at a time. Maybe I get over-involved, too personal, but when you see someone every day for years at a time, how can you be a good teacher, and not be involved!?
My profession, dance, is one that has longed been associated and plagued with certain disordered behaviors. For the first time in my career I am being challenged with dealing with this nasty disease affecting one of my own. When I was a ballet student, if I saw a friend or an acquaintance struggling with these things, I never really spoke up. There was always an adult involved to take care of things. Now I'm the adult in the situation, and I feel like a helpless child. There is only so much that I can do. There is only so much that my co-workers can do.
I was searching for an appropriate picture to blog along with this entry on Flickr when I stumbled across this set: The Journey. Tears just streamed down my face as I looked through these photos and read the accompanying text. As I got towards the end, my heart just swelled with hope that there will be a positive outcome from all of this.
I have happy crafting planned for the near future - so bear with me during this sad respite. If you're reading this, it would comfort me to know that you're sending good thoughts towards my students' end of the universe!
I know that I sometimes complain here about work, but no matter how crappy a job there is always one constant, my love for my students. I do not have children of my own, instead I have this huge dance family, I consider myself a mom of sorts to over a hundred kids at a time. Maybe I get over-involved, too personal, but when you see someone every day for years at a time, how can you be a good teacher, and not be involved!?
My profession, dance, is one that has longed been associated and plagued with certain disordered behaviors. For the first time in my career I am being challenged with dealing with this nasty disease affecting one of my own. When I was a ballet student, if I saw a friend or an acquaintance struggling with these things, I never really spoke up. There was always an adult involved to take care of things. Now I'm the adult in the situation, and I feel like a helpless child. There is only so much that I can do. There is only so much that my co-workers can do.
I was searching for an appropriate picture to blog along with this entry on Flickr when I stumbled across this set: The Journey. Tears just streamed down my face as I looked through these photos and read the accompanying text. As I got towards the end, my heart just swelled with hope that there will be a positive outcome from all of this.
I have happy crafting planned for the near future - so bear with me during this sad respite. If you're reading this, it would comfort me to know that you're sending good thoughts towards my students' end of the universe!
posted by Geek+Nerd at 10:23 PM
3 Comments:
what a poignant set of photos.
i do hope that your student finds the inner strength to overcome her problem.
A lot of my family is involved in dancing and ballet and one of them has flirted with the issue I think you are refering to. Along with a good friend who suffered in high school. It is horrid and so futile to have to watch and be unable to help.
I am certainly sending thoughts.
powerful and touching flickr slideshow. Good luck to your student.
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