The Process is More Important Than the Outcome
Teachers must help their students understand that when performance opportunities are given, the preparation and process (“the journey”), is equally important to the outcome. This is especially true for schools that participate in competions. Students must appreciatiate the process over the end result, and both teachers and students must be able to keep perspective. Teachers can help students learn to handle disappointment and to recognize the potential for growth in any situation. Competing is only appropriate if the student can recognize the value of the process and can understand that “winning” truly isn’t everything.
Teachers are guides, and it takes a great deal of thought and care to instill values into ballet classes. Students who learn these lessons will be better dancers, and better people as well. While there are many other lessons to teach as a ballet instructor, these five fundamentals will serve as important tools in the classroom.