I have committed to saying no to the activities in my life that are draining me dry. Read that post here. But in my evaluation process of which things to keep, and which things to toss in the proverbial shredder, I have discovered how very grateful I am for the myriad blessings I have every day.
A few months ago, I interviewed for the opportunity to start teaching ballet once a week at a local gymnastics studio. My knees were shaking, my sweat was dripping, and my anxiety level was making my heart beat faster than a rabbit being chased by a dog–but I made it through the odious interview process, and landed the job!
My very first week, I arrived at the gymnastics studio with my leotard on, a folder full of planned out barre routines, and an anxious smile plastered on my face. I tell you, friends, there are many benefits to being a Theatre major, and one of them is that you can act confident in even the most anxiety-inducing moments. I stepped through the double glass doors, and my ballet heart took a leap, and fell flat on her face as I looked around me. I am telling y’all that I felt like Alice who had just fallen down the rabbit hole. My pink leg warmers even felt a bit out of place as they nervously slid down my legs. Everywhere I looked I saw tiny little girls flipping, jumping, and stretching. Performing feats that should be reserved for the movies. The teachers were all dressed in sweat pants, and old t-shirts. And here I was, in all my ballet finery, advertising my art like a neon sign on the freeway.
I sat down on the edge of the mats, and watched as the gymnast teachers finished drilling the girls on flips, leaps, and stunts that I wanted to learn (please! Can I join class! I want to know how to flip!). And just as I began enjoying, and marveling at the dexterity and limberness of this girls’ seasoned bodies the class ended. I was introduced as “Andrea” (the owner forgot my name). And I was left alone. With twenty little sets of six-year-old eyes staring at me attentively.
Now that I have been teaching ballet for a whopping three months, and I feel like an expert. I proudly strut into that studio with my bright pink leggings, and my head full of ideas. I no longer clutch a few pages of plans in my sweaty palms, I now know what I am going to teach them. And feel confident enough to arrive sans notes.
And yesterday I got a raise. One dollar more per hour. Wahoo! True, I only teach for one hour a week, so this raise won’t be filling my tank with gas, but those few dollars will be enough to perhaps take Warrior Man out for a sub sandwich. With chips. And perhaps a soda to share.
I feel pretty good about this mini-job, and the satisfaction it gives me every week. I love working with these bright eyed little girls and teaching them everything from pas de chats to playing Simon Says with ballet terms (“Simon says second position! Simon says bourre! Jump twice! Gotcha.”) which is their personal favorite.
In this process from petrified to proudly confident I have learned a thing or two about teaching. I know that these little gymnasts get bored really easily if they have to monotonously perform ballet drills. I have watched as there reserved eyes began to drift, and watch the gymnastic routines around them. This group of girls are passionate about gymnastics, but ballet–eh—not so much. Luckily, for me, I have discovered the key to their hearts: jumps. Six-year-olds LOVE to jump. At about the point I was afraid I was losing their interest completely, I had them come out on the middle of the mat, and chasse and then changement. It was a very simple routine, but these little girls lit up for the first time in the class and bounced away like a bunch of jumping beans. Jumps= happy little girls, who knew?
Saying “no” to more things in my life has only served to give me an astounding amount of gratefulness for the myriad things I have left: one dollar raises, jumping bean little gymnasts, and this cozy little online living room I call my own.
Press on, friends!
You will be, as always, wonderful at it . . . Enjoy! I know your students will.
This is a wonderful story. I can just see it all unfolding, from your crestfallen expression at being introduced as “Andrea” and your pink leg warmers in a room full of sweat pants and old t-shirts. But you found the loophole: little girls love to jump. Very smart of you! I’m so glad that you got a raise, too. I’m sure that you earn it!
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Hi Ms. Bethany! New reader here over from the Peony Project! I’m actually in love with your writing 😀 I’ll definitely be back!
Hey Norkor! I read through a few posts on your blog, and liked your fbook page. You lead quite an exciting life, and I love all your photography! Thank you for the sweet words. I will be following your blog as well!
Aww, what a sweet post. I can just see you in your pink ballet gear and your little 6-year-old jumping girls. I’m glad you’ve grown into your teaching job and enjoy it. After the first 5 minutes, you were off and … jumping. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for commenting, Jeanne! I hope your week is beautiful, and filled with lovely surprises. 🙂
Your love of doing this teaching really shows. College is a time of discovery and that is exactly what you are doing. The joy is what counts, and you are learning how to teach – I think you are onto something!
Thanks Alana! I am in my senior year, so college is winding down for me, but I am so grateful for all the learning experiences it has provided me over the last few years. 🙂 I hope the weather in NY is as unusually balmy as it is here in the Midwest!
I love how you have prioritized what’s important to you in your life and your exuberance shows! What a fun weekend read!! those little girls are certainly lucky to have you!!
And I am lucky to have them, Dorit! Prioritizing is always hard, but necessary for a fulfilling life. Hope your week is wonderful, and thanks for stopping by!
How fun and exciting! Enjoy this time in your life!
Thank you, Mary! Hope your week is lovely. 🙂
This was an awesome read. It even felt “fun” at times. Thanks for sharing what has happened, and your perspective on it.
Thanks so much for the sweet words, Elizabeth.