I was privileged enough to be able to have art throughout my schooling growing up. When I really started to appreciate art though was when I found my own art form. For me, that form was dance. Although I enjoyed studio art like painting and printing I never thought I was very good at it. Just like Robert in this story I too gained a lot of confidence when I started to succeed in my favorite form of art, dance. When I was in high school I had the opportunity to take dance as a period throughout my school day. I loved being able to have this type of art form available to me.
When I was a senior I was able to bring this opportunity to children in elementary school. I went to my local elementary school in my town after school once a week and taught a mix of five 4th and 5th grade girls dance. I had the opportunity to teach them a routine, cut the music, get them costumes, and see them perform. Within this year of working with the girls I saw first hand their confidence boost. They had a final performance at the end of the year school talent show. They were the finale of the show and couldn't wait to show their peers what they had been practicing all year.
My question for educators is... If art is a way to boost confidence and attendance in students then why don't we give them more opportunities in different styles of art in schools?
Attached is a photo of me and the girls I was able to teach at Trailside Elementary School in Park City, UT.
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