My Pledge

My pledge, accountability statement, and invitation to my current and future dance students

Inspired by The Donna Mejia Pledge

I will be generous with information I have acquired.  I will credit the sources for the knowledge I offer. I will say “I don’t know” when I do not know. I will see you as best as I can for the individual you are and the history you bring. I will do everything in my power to include and value all body sizes, gender expressions, abilities, ages, and racial identities. I will practice daily to see my unconscious bias and patterned responses. I will make constant effort to transmute my human tendency to judge myself and others into curiosity, awe, and appreciation. I will warmly invite and graciously accept feedback and dissenting opinions from you, appreciating the opportunity to become a more aware and caring person. I will do my part to create a relationship of mutual respect and treat you as my equal. I will bravely step into discomfort and vulnerability. I will be patient and encouraging. I will offer you a sweet, joyous, simultaneously gentle and rigorous vacation from the stress of your life.

I ask for your curiosity, patience, mental-emotional-physical presence, and perspective sharing. I ask that you see me (and yourself) as an imperfect and always evolving human being filled with both yet-to-be-integrated shadow aspects and hard-earned self-awareness. I ask that you allow me to be wrong and give me a chance to do better next time. I ask for your involvement, honesty, bravery, and willingness to try.

Thank you and I look forward to dancing with you,

April Rose