Impact vs. Image: Teaching for Substance, Not Status

This post is intentionally brief. The message doesn’t need a long build-up or dramatic flair. In fact, that’s kind of the point.

In dance, appearance is everywhere. From the lines of a tendu to the lighting on a stage, we’re trained to care about how things look. There’s beauty in that, but there’s also a quiet risk: when everything is built for the eye, we can lose sight of the heart.

What really matters is how it feels, not just to watch, but to experience.

It’s easy to slip into teaching for image. Maybe it’s about curating an aesthetic, choreographing what will photograph well, or striving for accolades because they affirm our worth. There’s no shame in it. Most of us, at some point, have been there. In an industry driven by perception, it's only natural to want to be perceived as excellent.

Over time, I’ve learned that the most meaningful teaching moments don’t always look remarkable on the surface. Sometimes they’re quiet. Sometimes they’re messy. Sometimes they aren’t seen at all-- except by the one student who needed that moment to believe in themselves just a little more.

When we shift our focus from being impressive to being intentional, everything softens. The pressure fades. The work deepens. The funny thing? That’s when we actually start making an impact that lasts.

This isn’t a call-out. It’s a gentle and real reminder that substance doesn’t always sparkle, but it sticks. It matters. It shapes people.

If your work feels quiet right now… maybe that’s because it’s working.