I am excited to report that Andrew WON the title of Mr. Rockville High School at this year’s annual fundraiser! Andrew got up in front of an audience filled with parents, teachers and peers and performed Zumba fitness for his talent.
With on stage backup from his friends and audience support from his fellow Zumba classmates, Andrew led the number with confidence and style. What a wonderful moment to watch this group of teens come together to support their friend!
Tressa with Andrew
In March of 2014 I was asked to teach Zumba ® to teenagers at an area high school. They were having an all-night volleyball “lock-in” fundraiser and needed some “entertainment” for students waiting for their team to play. I agreed, but was feeling nervous. I worked on my playlist for days, wanting to ensure I chose music that these teens were going to like. My fear was that I would show up and no one would want to participate. Even though I’ve been teaching dance and group fitness for years, I knew that Zumba ® for teens could go one of two ways…..GREAT or Epic Fail!
To my amazement Zumba ® was a HUGE hit. The students enjoyed it so much, administrators asked me to stay an extra hour that night. For two full hours, these kids danced, laughed, sang, and jammed.
A few weeks later school administrators asked if I’d be interested in teaching Zumba ® fitness to students and faculty on a regular basis after school. They were applying for a grant that would support after school activities. I agreed to this activity excited to offer the opportunity, but again nervous to see if students would actually come.
Again, to my surprise, students and faculty filled the room week after week! The program was catching on in a big way and students from all “cliques” were coming to join the “party.” The program which ran April through June continued to grow and grow each week. I was even invited to the Senior Class’s all night safe grad party by request from the students!
By the start of the new school year school, administrators and the school’s principal were certain that offering Zumba ® fitness to their students was a great thing. For one, it gives them an after school activity that is an alternative to sports. Second, it provides all students with a non-threatening, no judgment zone to express and release stress. It provides physical activity in a party-like-atmosphere….and who doesn’t like to party! It brings teachers and students together on the same level…everyone learning together. Furthermore it allows students to see their teachers in a new light…having fun and exercising. It builds relationships, brings people together and provides a safe and controlled activity for all who are involved.
Zumba ® continues to evolve at this school. This year school administrators were able to obtain funding to provide bus transportation home after the activity which is wonderful for students who may not have a ride home from a parent or friend. Students who have missed PE classes and choose to make the class up can now do so at Zumba ® which is helping students improve their PE grades.
Each week I’m amazed that kids from all walks of life, various groups, and different abilities come together to just have fun. There is an unspoken acceptance in the room. There is a group bond each week for new and returning participants alike. For 50-minutes I watch these teens and teachers move, sing, sweat, laugh, high five, dance, release stress, and just have fun.
In a high stress teenage world with pressure, expectations, negativity, it is nice to know that I can take them away from that for 50-minutes and provide a place to just live and be in the moment while improving their health. I applaud this districts openness and commitment to offer programming for their students that’s modern and somewhat out of the box.
We Zumba ® instructors have a saying that in just two words represents the feeling you have when being part of this fitness phenomenon; and through this high school group I am honored to feel it each and every week … “ZUMBA ® LOVE!”
This week a student asked me to help him with his “talent” for the Mr. RHS pageant. His talent is Zumba ® with the help of his 6 friends as back up dancers. Our rehearsal went great. I’ll keep you posted on how he does!!!
For years I have been honored to teach youth dance lessons at a local dance studio, our local Y and local recreation department. I teach a ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical and tumbling to children ages 3 to 12. I find that no matter what kind of a day I may be having, coming into the dance studio and seeing all those happy smiles puts a smile on my face.
What I love most about the classes I teach, is that there is a point when I can feel myself just let go and see life through the eyes of those children. A world that is full of music, laughter, wonder and creativity. I find that through the music I play and the movements we learn, my class and I are able to express ourselves and become so many wonderful things. We roar like dinosaurs, we become princesses, we jump and leap like frogs, we make imaginary pizzas while we stretch, we laugh, we sing, we dance. For 45 minutes, these children and I enjoy the simplicity of being together, having fun, and learning all at the same time. I’m sure some of the parents in the waiting room think I’m crazy as I’m flapping my duck wings and quacking at the top of my lungs, but let me tell you, my dancers are learning!
So many wonderful things happen in dance classes, educationally. Children are learning vocabulary, directional words, counting skills, and patterning. Their social skills are strengthened by learning how to work as a team while interacting with peers and adults. Their attention spans are lengthening. Children also develop skills to perform their dances in front of others, which is a HUGE accomplishment and social lesson. Obviously their physical development is benefiting; their muscles are strengthening and they are building coordination and body awareness. This, all from a 45 minute activity!
One of my favorite activities at dance is when we sit and stretch and “make a pizza.” I love to hear what each student wants to put on our pizza each week. I note how at the beginning of the year, their toppings choices are short and generic….”cheese, pepperoni” etc. By the end of October their responses are detailed and elaborate; “5 Red gummy bears, 13 cups of apple juice, everything but broccoli.” As my students become comfortable in their environment and are encouraged to be creative, their responses become more thoughtful and detailed. What they love is my response. No matter what the topping is that they choose to share, I give them a positive response, making sure that each of them knows that their toppings are appreciated and are important to our final creation.
When Laura and I go out to conduct professional development seminars I always comment that there are thousands for “mediocre” teachers in this world. Teachers who come in, educate, are kind and loving, they do nothing wrong in their quest to educate…but then there are BA BAM teachers….those who go above and beyond to ensure that their students are given opportunities to be creative, exploratory, inquisitive, and most of all listened to.
Does it take a bit more energy and planning to become a “BA BAM” teacher? You bet! But it is worth it and our children deserve it. So my last question for this post is…..How will you be a “BA BAM” teacher today?
I have a pretty cool life. Everyday I get to run around and play soccer with kids anywhere from 3-5 years old. It’s full of laughs, little bumps, and those “kids say the darndest things” moments. Not a day goes by when I don’t sport a huge smile and big laugh. And its even more fun for the kids – and me – when they are running and active regardless of whether they ever play soccer again after I leave. I don’t worry about who is a “good” soccer player. I worry about who is a happy and healthy kid. To me, its all about giving them a positive experience with exercise and life through the lens of a soccer ball. Having said that, I have heard many comments from parents along the line of, “I just want my child do SOMETHING…anything besides sit in front of (insert electronic device here).”
Let’s face it, lifetime habits start early. And the older we get those habits are harder to break. Fitness and health habits can and should start young. Between video games and families who rarely eat at home anymore, children have a hard time staying fit and healthy. Junk food diets, sedentary lifestyle, and parents who work and are rarely home or involved in their lives have led America’s children down a spiraling trend towards childhood obesity. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%. Scary stuff. Obesity doesn’t simply affect children as they experience their youth, but will carry into lifelong habits and lead to the proliferation of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and other weight related syndromes. The best way to combat childhood obesity is to encourage parents to provide good eating alternatives for their children and to get kids off of the couch and into the park. Soccer, with its ease of play and lack of equipment, is a perfect sport to allow kids to run, jump and keep their bodies more healthy. Kids like to be active. I know this. I see it all the time. When they run, they smile. When they jump, they smile. When they fall down, they sometimes cry, but inevitably get up, start running and smile some more.
There is no question that childhood obesity is on the rise. Children are becoming less active and quite honestly, I believe technology is partly to blame. Well, I should say that technology is the root of the problem, but parents need to do their part to make sure that technology doesn’t overtake their children’s lives.
I see my own children having that pull to sit in front of the television or computer screen. Thankfully this past summer most of my children have been pretty active. They have spent a lot of time walking or biking to and from friend’s houses, to tennis courts, or just playing in the neighborhood. They spent time at the park. It is as much about the social and emotional outlets as it is the exercising. Think about it, they are being active, maintaining friendships, and establishing good habits without even realizing it.
It really does begin at home. Parents are the first example. If they aren’t active and all they eat is junk food, their children will follow suit. If you are a parent, you have no better reason to get started on a healthier path. You are the example to set for your children. Fighting obesity really must begin at home and start young!
Top photo credit: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Shannon Perry is the Soccer Shots Connecticut Director. Shannon is a former collegiate and professional player with 10 years experience working with children of all ages. Soccer Shots is a leader in youth soccer development for young children, and emphasizes both soccer skills and character development. Each Soccer Shots session is age appropriate, and incorporates basic soccer skills, vocabulary (word of the day), imaginative play, and coordination, balance, and agility development.