I think I'm just okay with not reaching everyone (most is good!), but I'll keep trying as long as I can detach enough to not be too hard on myself when I don't.

Don't apologize for it! Motivation is the root of the challenge, at least from where I sit.

I see that, and I see how the system has encouraged it. Once I accepted that reaching every student just isn't possible given what you're saying, I started throwing everything at the wall to see what stuck for any or some or many of them. I'm still there, I think? Trying and failing, on repeat

One of my colleagues once pointed out that we aren’t necessarily the right people to invent ways to motivate students, because we’re the nerds who stayed and what motivates us does not work for everyone. I think about that a LOT

I don't disagree. And, without being so naïve as to think my version of nerdery could be (or is worth making) transmissible, I'm the kind of optimist that at least wants to ask what would be worth it to them? As in, can *they lead *me to something that would help motivate them?

It turns out that being a kind human being is a practice.

Thank you, Cate!

I nearly fell over.

...students are seen and heard as whole human beings, student agency and autonomy is fostered, and a commitment to developing community is valued."

Whew. Thank you, Sherrie Barr and the Journal of Dance Education. More here: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....