DI_schools_MAINFrom Dance Informa

Academics are a sole focus when a child enters a new school year. Whether it’s mathematics, language arts, science or social studies, this is what a student is required to eat, sleep and breathe on a daily basis. Through these core classes, students are expected to excel and show progress throughout the year, but what about those students who want more out of their experience in school than just acing a test? How can someone express themselves in other ways outside of a classroom?

The simplest answer: dance. There are many electives offered in schools, such as orchestra, band and theatre, just to name a few, but there has not been much in regard to dance unless it is in a studio setting outside of school.

Gwinnett County’s Georgia Public School System made the initial change to this dynamic by introducing one of its first dance programs at Brookwood High School. After 15 years under the direction of Anna D’Antonio, Ellen Tshudy took over as head of the dance program in 2008. Tshudy described the challenges she faced in the first few years as a new teacher.

“It was a big step,” says Tshudy, about entering new territory. “I had to take a delicate approach and not change everything right away.”

Read the full article here!