Adler Park teacher creates Dance Club for students

Submitted by Libertyville Elementary School District 70

The first year Angela Pontarelli offered a dance club at Adler Park School, she was surprised when 60 students showed up.

“I was definitely caught off guard,” said the Libertyville Elementary District 70 kindergarten teacher, who has been a dancer for most of her life. “I figured I would get maybe 20 children, and I had 60.”

Clearly, Pontarelli is filling a need within her school community.

Now in its second year, the popular Dance Club meets from 3-4 p.m. Tuesdays in October. Students in third through fifth grade meet in the gym after school and learn dance steps. The sessions move quickly, keeping every student engaged. In March, the Dance Club will meet for first- and second-graders.

“I wanted to offer another opportunity for students to get involved with an activity in their school, a chance for students to socialize with one another and learn something new,” said Pontarelli, who created the club her very first year in the school district.

Using popular songs, she moves quickly through dance steps, reaching both the novice dancers and some who have clearly taken lessons before. Her teaching style has even encouraged some boys to venture into the class. To better reach the boys, she has asked them what songs they want to dance to and, on this day, they picked Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

To ease the crowded settings, Pontarelli split the grade levels into two sessions: fall and spring.

“This allows students to be able to participate in other activities and clubs.”

Her poise is reflected in her moves as she gracefully stands in front of the class and performs a series of steps she wants them to learn.

She points out the details, “stay up on your toes through most of this part and your hand should be on your forehead when he says, ‘Eh.’”

Her talents of teaching and dancing merge effortlessly.

“Dance Club might reach out to children who may have been intimidated to join other activities in the district,” she said.

“I see such a wide range of personalities and abilities, and Dance Club offers instruction and skills that all students can do — from the very experienced dancer to someone with no dance experience.

“There is something for everyone. Dance also requires a different type of learning, it requires your brain to think in a different way — the coordination of steps, staying to the beat of the music, using eight counts to stay on beat, placement of the body, and balance.”

The club allows Pontarelli to share her love for dancing, which was her minor at the University of Iowa.

“I share personal stories of my experiences, share some of my favorite songs, and I am always dancing right along side them,” she said as she caught her breath after a club session with the students.

“I let the students know that they don’t have to be perfect, they do not have to look like me or the person next to them. As long as they are doing the correct steps, they can put their own style into it and just enjoy the beat of the music.”

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