I would like to take a 
moment to explain my favorite part of being a dance teacher.
Every year, something magical happens. My students give me stuff. That’s right, my favorite part is the presents. Christmas was over a month ago, but I am still enjoying all the wonderful chocolate, candy, cookies and fuzzy teddy bears that were bestowed upon me simply because I’m a dance teacher.
As is usually the case when dealing with 5-year-olds, the presents are not really coming from the students. The gift is coming from their parents as if to say, “Thank you for putting up with my crazy kid.”
Most of the time, these little peace offerings are edible.
Every year I collect a stash of candy and cookies along with the occasional homemade loaf of bread. I’m entirely convinced this is why I come back after Christmas looking more like a loaf of bread than a dance teacher. Now this may not seem like a very magical occurrence, but I assure you it is. Everyone gets presents at Christmas, right? But how many people can say that they get a whole slew of presents from people who expect no present in return? Traditional policy, when it comes to gift giving and receiving, states that if someone gets you a present you should get them one as well. This policy does not apply to dance teachers, or any teachers for that matter. As far as the parents are concerned, teaching their child how to move without looking like a cave-dweller is present enough. It’s irrelevant to them that you get paid a decent chunk of money to show up every week.
That, my friends, is magical.
I teach a class of just three girls on Friday nights. I have been forced to find a substitute for this class twice already, even though the class only began in January. Bad Miss Nadine.
Demi Dance Teacher 