Beyond danceless classrooms: Investigating approaches to support classroom teachers in teaching dance across elementary school curricula

My research delves into the world of dance education, seeking to find the essential resources and support systems required for successful integration of dance across elementary school curricula. I collaborated with a group of passionate elementary school educators and created a space for exploration, they adopted a dance-based unit I designed to guide their students on a journey of self-expression and embodied learning. I conducted semi-structured interviews, written teacher reflections, and student observations, and gathered insights into the necessary resources and support systems that enable the infusion of dance education into elementary classrooms. From pre- service teacher education course work to accessible curricular resources and ongoing support from colleagues and administrators, these findings highlight the importance of a supportive ecosystem for successful dance integration. As such, this research holds significant implications for teacher training programs, professional development opportunities, and resource creation to empower teachers in successfully integrating dance into their classroom curriculums.