Task 4 B/C question 4

4: In the industry it is often said that we are married to the profession:  How, if at all does the work life balance of a dance teacher differ from other professions?

Teacher 1

Hobby that becomes a job, therefore you will spend more hours doing it than an office/shop job.
Unsociable hours as classes held evenings after school and weekends which does not always fit in well with family life.


Teacher 2

I think the difference between dance teachers and other professions is to do with the emotion involved, we often as dance teachers have been dancing since a young age so are very emotionally attached to it and ready to spend all our time and effort choreographing/doing extra exam classes/putting on shows ect also I think in some ways most of us are perfectionists so will keep going until we get it exactly how we want it which often involves a lot of overtime. Not to mention the personal relationships we have with the students- we are willing to put in more time and effort with students, staying late for extra classes/private classes in the lead up to exams etc



Teacher 3
That's so true, I for one never switch off, always working. Of I'm not teaching in listening to songs that I could possibly use, watching YouTube for ideas on stuff, buying props or things that I think might work in class. Music cutting also takes forever! There's always a pen and paper next to my bed to write down. Being a teacher you are also a primary carer, a friend and always trying to find ways of making things look/sound better. A " normal" 9-5 job allows you to switch off as soon as you leave and not think about if again all night! Also the constant texts, calls and emails from parents asking can you do this? Can you do that?!


Teacher 4
…..you're asking the wrong person. As I have said, I surround myself with like minded people...or with people who can help me further my students. Where I live abroad, I think everyone is the same. Work life balance is un equal with work having a higher percentage. In general UK life..... I think it depends who the person is. I think many GP's or doctors, CEO's, regular school teachers etc would all be married to the profession. I think when you have other people relying upon you the pressure encourages you to take an unhealthy balance. Working in a shop.... if I wasn't there Bob would still gets his daily newspaper! As a dance teacher to create a product and thus self satisfaction and pride, you have to rely upon children. I think 'dance teachers' who only do nursery classes or younger students who don't do exams or shows are probably NOT married to their profession....because it's simply a job! To better the kids we have to better ourselves. That includes CPD and constant self evaluation.