Throughout my academic journey, I have been blessed with the influence phenomenal educators - perhaps the most powerful being my dance teacher of 9 years, Mrs. Gooden. With unparalleled determination and limitless passion, she pushed my insecure, anxious self to reach my greatest potential physically, emotionally, academically, and socially. It was in the dance studio that I made the majority of my progress in conquering my eating disorder, my emotional depression, and my anxiety; I know I am not the only one who found my best self in that setting. I acknowledge this because my experiences, under the guidance of this one woman, set a foundation for me in my pursuit of becoming a special educator. I entered NYU wanting to become a dance educator …show more content…
One aspect of doing so is ensuring that the environment I work to create is least restrictive for all. A least restrictive environment (LRE) exhibits an “inclusive culture”, “warm, welcoming, caring and high expectations”, and “collaborative responsibility” (Fish). Legally, it is required that I, as an educator, do all I can to ensure that the environment in which I teach is a least restrictive environment (LRE). This obligation is set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an act created in to ensure that accomodations are made for students with special needs in public schools. In an article published by the University of Pittsburgh, it is stated that “multiple reauthorizations of IDEA have refined, revised, and renewed the nation’s moral and pedagogical commitment to providing well-planned, public, inclusive, and appropriate education to all students with disabilities” (Zigmond, Kloo, Volonino); this requires effort be put into maintaining a least restrictive environment for all students. There are many actions I may take - one’s I have learned about and/or seen in practice - to ensure that the dance studio in which I teach satisfies all of these …show more content…
Every person’s goal regarding step mastery and artistic growth is different, but everyone I educate will be encouraged to strive for self-fulfillment in an art form that encourages each student to expand their mental, emotional, physical, academic, and social abilities. Simultaneously they will develop a strong sense of self as they explore the instruments that are their unique bodies and minds. As an educator, today and in the future, I will do all I can to ensure that my classroom is a least restrictive environment for all - one that welcomes inclusivity, encourages collaboration, and presents high expectations - to ensure that each student, in the dance environment, can achieve and even surpass their