Almira's fifth-grade students participate in a 20-week program run by Dancing Classrooms of Northeast Ohio. The nonprofit launched in 2008 with the goal of strengthening the social and emotional skills of students through teaching ballroom dances.
Dance instructor Mary Novak rehearses several dance steps with Ms. Mary Hejnal’s fifth-grade class.CLEVELAND, Ohio – Instead of the usual blocks of four, the desks in Ms. Mary Hejnal’s fifth-grade classroom are pushed against the walls to create space for the students, who are standing in two concentric circles.
Counting together to eight, which Ms. Jo Jo tells them is the magic number in the merengue, the students practice stepping in place.and The Plain Dealer have spent the past two school years embedded at Almira Elementary School on Cleveland’s West side, documenting the many challenges of teaching kids whose lives are complicated by poverty and the creative ways Cleveland educators overcome them.
As the executive director of Dancing Classrooms of Northeast Ohio, she’s here today to introduce students to the program with Ms. Mary Nozak, who will be their primary instructor for the duration of the 20-week process. The non-profit organization launched in 2008 with the goal of strengthening the social and emotional skills of students through teaching ballroom dances.
“We can all find someone we can tolerate for 45 minutes, but the reality of life is that there are going to be people who are challenging to interact with,” Ms. Jo Jo says. “Changing partners is teaching them how to interact with everyone in a way that’s safe, kind and helpful.” “Everyone’s starting line is in a different place, so for some students, starting the lessons with physical touch brings up a lot of anxiety,” Ms. Jo Jo says. “By starting with the connectors, we take away some of that pressure by slowly bringing them together.”
“Now, when the light turns green. What happens? We go!” Ms. Jo Jo says. “To do that, I’m going to go move my feet open and close for eight steps, and then we’re going to practice together.”
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Professor hurls students' pro-life display after profanity-laced tirade: 'triggering my students'An art professor at Hunter College confronted pro-life students who were manning an anti-abortion display and yelled profanities at them before trashing the table.
Les mer »
Man sends lottery winnings to West African hometown to build classrooms, dance studio“Keep doing what you’re doing in a smart way with heart,” Sana Souleymane said. “Positive energy and spirits, I swear your dream will become truthful.”
Les mer »
Drexel's Westphal Bridge Scholars Program helping first gen students stay on track to graduateAs graduation season is upon us, a program at Drexel University is working to make sure that under represented and first generation students stay on track to get that diploma.
Les mer »
Man uses lottery winnings to support schools in his native countryThe recent winner of $100,000 playing a scratch-off game by the North Carolina lottery said he is going to use the winnings to support schools in his native country of Mali.
Les mer »
Man accused of killing 4 Idaho college students to enter pleaThe suspect accused of killing four University of Idaho students at their rental house off-campus in November will appear for an arraignment hearing Monday.
Les mer »
Students and young engineers are turning away from Big TechInsider tells the global tech, finance, markets, media, healthcare, and strategy stories you want to know.
Les mer »