Originally published in TEACH Magazine, September/October 2017 Issue
By Martha Beach
Imagine a gymnasium filled with Grade 7 students. They’re scattered around the room in mixed pairs of girls and boys. They’re holding hands. They’re looking each other in the eye. They’re stepping in unison to classical music, communicating silently, and playing their role in the duo.
This isn’t your typical awkward middle school dance. It’s a ballroom lesson and students are dancing as part of their education. Just a few weeks ago, these same kids were reluctant to learn a dance only their grandparents knew. Some even sat on the sidelines; their initial discomfort, however, soon turned into excitement.
Martha Beach lives and works in Toronto as a freelance fact-checker, editor, and writer for a wide variety of publications. When she’s not working, you’ll find Martha on her yoga mat or hanging out with her daughter and husband.
