LIFESTYLES

LIFESTYLE | 16 TAPPING INTO TEACHING

A young dancer shares her passion by teaching a tap class for kids.

Photos by: Molly Balison

Above: (Left) Junior Margo Barton prepares the choreography she will teach her pre-school class. (Right) Barton takes attendance before class.

By Molly Balison

Editor-in-Chief

Whether she is working or strengthening her skills in dance, Junior Margo Barton spends about 14 hours a week at her second home--Allegro Dance Studio. Dance has been a passion of Bartons for 11 years. She has danced competitively and obtained years of experience in tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and ballet. The young dancer has recently become an employee at her dance studio where she shares her skills with preschoolers.

Barton started out as an assistant and a substitute teacher at the studio, but now is responsible for teaching a weekly tap class on her own. Barton said that being an instructor has taught her responsibility and punctuality. “You have to be really organized and come up with lots of stuff to work on,” Barton said, “and have an actual plan for what you are going to do.” Coming up with activities and choreography on the spot was more realistic for Barton when she assisted or subbed for classes, but, now, she strives to have a well-thought out curriculum for her students to keep them on track for advancing in their tap skills.

The basic agenda in Barton’s class consists of warm up exercises, technique that the class has been working on, and fun choreography or activities. Working with children has been eye opening for her, “Little kids are definitely more capable than I thought they were,” Barton said. Her students can usually pick up the steps she teaches them quickly and are able to perform what they have practiced.

Barton has learned a lot by watching her own dance instructors, especially her tap teacher. “She has definitely taught me what I think is more beneficial as a teacher.” Barton said referring to her tap instructor, “If I compare myself to my teachers, it shows me what I should and shouldn’t do based on what I understand from my teachers and what their style of teaching [is].” Not only does Barton focus on her technique when taking dance classes for her own benefit, but she thinks about how she can improve as a teacher in her preschool class by watching how her instructors conduct their classes.

Teaching a class full of kids comes with its fair share of challenges. “It’s challenging to come up with curriculum that is balanced and has entertainment and keeps them focused... but also challenging them.” Barton said. Sometimes, Barton’s students do not grasp what she is trying to teach and she has to think on her toes and improvise. Barton explained, “I have to change what I’m doing on the spot to adapt to what they’re good at.” It can be frustrating when her vision does not pan out, but having an alternate plan is a skill that all teachers must have.

Even though Barton does not see herself pursuing a career in instructing dance, she has learned many skills that will help her keep a side job as a dance teacher throughout highschool and college. Her job has also helped her learn customer service skills and dealing with parents as she works at the front desk of the studio in addition to teaching. Dancing professionally is an extremely competitive career so Barton hopes that she can minor in dance and receive an opportunity to pursue her passion. She has realized that she needs to have another career option lined up because, “If you’re offered a career in dance, it’s not going to be something you’ve planned.” Barton said.

Barton’s positive energy in class gets her students excited about dancing. Getting to do what she loves makes her happy to go to work. “I can take my passion and teach it to younger kids and hopefully they will grow up and have the same passion as me and the same love for dance” Barton said.

“Hopefully they will grow up and have the same passion as me and the same love for dance.” -Margo Barton