Their Moment to SHINE!!!!!!

It’s been a few weeks. Between Thanksgiving, work, my family, and getting ready for the holidays, I haven’t had as much time as I would like to update this blog. However, there has been so much going on in this class, this post might be a little longer than the rest to catch everyone up…

There was one week when X could not come to class. He and L are like frik and frak, so I was wondering how L would be with X not being there. L, who is hearing impaired, looks to X for encouragement, praise, and sometimes to be bossed around a little in class. Because of that, L tends to not always be that assertive or vocal in class. He lets X be that person, but L is certainly the jokester. He likes to exaggerate the moves to get a laugh, and will even perform prat falls to get noticed, although I put a stop to that right away (the behaviorist in me always takes over!)

The day that X was not there, L must have realized that someone had to step up to the plate and be that vocal, assertive person in the class. He deduced right away that that person must be him. And BOY did he step up to the plate. I never saw L so assertive. With his minimal language, he lavished praise on the other students. He pointed to the other kids to show them what to do. He hooted and hollered the way X typically does. He stood right next to me the way X does, and stayed right on the beat. I found it amazing that he realized that someone needed to fill that role with X not being there!

The following week, X was back. And L went back to his typical role of clown, and looking up to X as his support. It was so nice to get a deeper glimpse into the dynamics between them. The unspoken things I get to experience in this class is just magical. These are the things that are so easy to miss when we are not paying attention. And I get the privilege of seeing these small, little exchanges on a weekly basis with these guys!

As I continue to get to know my students on a personal basis, I get to find out what makes them tick. D is my superstar. He hangs in the back, and it took a while for him to really get what is expected of him in class. While always well behaved, he had a little more difficulty following directions and imitating the steps. With each week, he became more and more focused, and really began to blossom in class. The joy on his face during class is a sight to see. You just can’t look at him without smiling. His mom has begun taking the class with him to get her own workout. After class, we were talking about how much progress he has made in class. He does not have a great deal of language, but she told me that he asked for 2 things for Christmas – a Nintendo DS, and a Zumba DVD! She told me he looks forward to this class all week! I love the twinkle in his eye when I praise him, and when I talk to him about Zumba. This is a population where interests tend to be limited. The fact that a whole new interest has been incorporated into his life is such an amazing thing. Go D!!!!!

And now for the highlight of my week…. I had the opportunity to show off my students and watch them SHINE. Tonight, during their monthly dance, where typical teenagers join them for socialization as well as other special needs teens, I was invited to demonstrate some of the songs from class. When I walked in, my students, who were dancing with their friends and having a great time, were so excited to see me. It was nice to see them in a different place!
I asked X and B (my only girl in the class) to come up and help me lead since they know the songs so well. They were very excited to help me lead the group!

When the music came on, all of my students cheered – they were so happy to hear that music!!!!

B and X were right on point. It was so nice to have them there next to me, doing the choreography. It felt like my own little Zumba crew! X, as usual, became animated while we taught, calling out cues, hooting and hollering. D, as usual, in the back, was over the moon. He leapt, he laughed. He was THRILLED that we were doing Zumba at his dance. After a few songs, for the first time, I took the chance, and brought D to the front to help lead one of his favorite songs. He was SO happy, that at first it was hard to get him to actually follow the choreography – he kept jumping and laughing. But after pulling him next to me a few times, he started to do the moves with me. He rocked it!

C, another one of my guys who likes to hide in the back, really showed everyone around him how he can move. He did a great job!

After the demo, the kids all hung out and mingled. I saw B talking to 2 teenage girls (both peer mentors). I told the girls that B is one of my best dancers. The girls told B how amazing they thought she was. I loved that B had an opportunity to show off her skills. She is an amazing young lady!
Tonight really meant a lot to me – because after all the hard work my guys have put into learning all the choreography, they had the opportunity to show off what they knew to their peer mentors. They had the chance to lead them and show them what to do, instead of the other way around. Next week, I get to do this at their monthly basketball game!

I can’t think of a better way to end 2010.