How One 9-Year-Old Reminded Me My Work As a Teacher is Never Done

By Suchitra Sairam

Ever had a 9-year-old say something that stops you in your tracks?

This happened to me about 10 days ago. I had just “survived” my dance students’ annual concert. I only semi-joke when I say my measures for success focus on:

🥲 No tears

🤕 No injuries

😁 Lots of smiles

I’m much less concerned about artistic excellence for this occasion. I’m much more concerned about personal and artistic progress. 

Was there…

🤗 Joy?

👌🏽 Collaboration?

📈 Improvement?

😀 More confidence?

👏🏽 Cheering fellow students on?

There was all and more. The concert went smoothly. All 3 main success metrics fulfilled.

During photos or the post-show dinner, I ask each student, “Did you have fun?” That’s when one of my 9-year-old students said, “I did, but I had anxiety before we started.”

Anxiety. From the mouth of a child. About a dance performance. Why does she even know what that word means?

Her #1 reason for anxiety? “I didn’t want to make any mistakes.”

It’s taken me some time and reflection to unpack this. I speak to students often about mistakes being learning opportunities. I tell them I make many mistakes, even after decades of experience.

But, have I done enough to alleviate the fear? Of judgement or repercussions?

Though I wish she didn’t feel anxious, I’m glad she told me. Now I can give even more attention to helping students alleviate and manage it.