Believe me, there is safety and beauty in teaching in the room on your own – being in control and being free of extra eyes on you. This allows you the ability to find your own way, find your flow, and the space to play, tinker, and learn from trial and error.

But, there comes a time when a trusted friend or colleague should be invited in to offer feedback and observations. I would suggest that this happens several times a year. For various reasons – due to the structure of dance programs and the part-time nature of many positions- many teachers rarely get observed. (This is also a common issue in K-12 schools with classroom teachers as well.) 

Inviting someone in means that you will be in a place of vulnerability and criticism. But it is also an opportunity for praise and confidence building. If you consider it just like in the choreographic process – whether you are a dancer or a choreographer – it is like a feedback session on the work. It just is more common in the dance world around choreography, not teaching. Whether you teach dance for children or technique classes for adults, observations and feedback are invaluable.

Think about who you might invite in – a close friend, a mentor, your director at the studio. Help drive the conversation. Can she watch to see how long you are spending on each section of your children's modern class? When do the students lose focus? Based on what she sees and hears, what is really captivating the students' attention? 

Once you have figured out who to ask, also consider when you two can meet to debrief. Try to make it within the few days right after the observation. 

The more you have someone observe a class, the more comfortable it will feel. I actually really look forward to it and view these observations as important opportunities to stay real and on top of improving my teaching practice.

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