For my STEP signature project, I chose to get Zumba instructor certified. This was a one-day intensive course and access to hours of more training materials to help me begin transitioning from participating to teaching my own Zumba classes, a high-intensity dance workout using authentic dance styles from around the world.
Originally when I chose this project, I assumed that this course would be a fairly easy transition of roles from student to teacher. I had participated in many Zumba classes and so I figured that I would excel at this transition and step into a new role with ease. However, I had an unexpected injury this year and ended up having ACL surgery, which set me on a very different physical journey. Thus, I made this training an even larger goal. I wanted to prove to myself that after everything I experienced in this year that I was back to being physically and mentally able to take on and succeed in this training.
On the day of training, I was faced with even different challenges than what I had previously thought. These challenges included the hard rhythms of the important dance styles, learning how to face and engage with a class, learning how to give nonverbal cues while still remembering the choreography, and still having fun. My understanding about Zumba instructing had totally changed. It was no longer about just challenging myself; it was about working toward mastery of the skills needed to make an impact on future Zumba students and carrying on the program’s goal of empowering people to have fun and work out through authentic multi-cultural dance.
The first factor in this transformation was my project advisor Kelly Bullard. She started the day by leading us in a master class where all of us good connect through our love of dancing and getting out our anxiety and stress about the challenges to come. Throughout the day she went above and beyond to give each of us in the course specific feedback on what we were doing well and what we could improve. In one day, she was able to connect with each of us in the training. Personally, I feel that she embodies the goal of Zumba and makes me want to continue growing in my skills to make a difference.
The next factor in my transformation throughout this project was the bonds with the others in my training. My training was filled with people from all different experiences. We all came from varying levels of experience and with different motivations of why we want to become instructors. Throughout the day, we all had our struggles, but were able to encourage each other and use our own skills to help each other succeed. We also now have a group message where we share our progress and encourage each other to keep improving our teaching skills. I know that I can continue to count on these people while I work on becoming the best instructor I can for all the people I am going to teach in Zumba.
The third factor to my transition was the materials provided throughout the training. As a new member of the Zumba Instructor Network, I have access to hundreds of videos and songs. These materials help me to provide fresh dances monthly as well as perfecting my craft on cueing and engaging with students. My advisor Kelly showed us how to make the most of this access and continuing transforming through attending Jam Sessions where we can learn from other instructors or getting involved in the mentor program. It is all of these things that help me to feel confident that I have the ability to continue improving and become a great instructor.
This transformation truly opened my eyes. I learned that even though I take on projects for a personal challenge, I have to think beyond just myself and look at the impact that I can have on other people. I am studying to go into education as a career so many of the lessons I learned through this training, I will have to soon apply in my transition from student to teacher. I will use much of what I learned in this experience to help myself be the best elementary teacher I can be. I hope to find resources, a mentor, and a network of peers to help me transform myself in my career much like I did in this project.