Introducing Teresa Pachniak - Lower School Dance

I will be working as a specialist teaching Movement and Dance classes in the Community Center Building at Roeper Lower, for Stages II, III, and IV.

I am so lucky to have had many dance and travel highlights in my life; however, in 2005, I had the great privilege of touring the country with the Drum and Bugle Corps, Carolina Crown. We lived on a bus for three months and performed to large crowds in amazing football stadiums such as Gilette Stadium, where the Patriots play. I still like spinning flags, but can spin anything (brooms, sticks, golf clubs). Another highlight of mine is raising my son, Bram. I am so grateful to watch him grow and navigate the future. It's fun to note the different traits he picks up from me and my husband and watch our responses. The highlights of life bring me much joy but are also reminders that I can do hard things.

If I could live anywhere in the world for one year it would be in Iwaki, Japan near the Natsui River. I would like to visit Japan, and my friend lives there with his family. It would be amazing to introduce our children.

      I was born the youngest (by many years) in Richland, Washington near the Columbia River. My mother is an artist specializing in glassware and my father is an outdoorsman, enjoying nature. I have older brothers in Chicago, IL, and Portland, OR. When I was 4 years old, my family moved us to the metro-Detroit area where I have lived the bulk of my life. I enjoy living near live sports, music, and theatre. I am so grateful Detroit has a vibrant dance scene to participate in.

My hobbies outside of work include cheering for my son's travel soccer team, reading (often several books at once), painting with acrylic colors, and walking my dog Donut Lord, a Sheepdoodle. I still take dance class and create concert dance works for pop up shows in the area. Additionally, I teach at a nearby dance studio.

      I have a passion for using dance and movement skills to teach broader concepts like collaboration and equity, understanding the traffic flow of spaces and speeds, and preparing to handle the "spotlight" during performance, be it dance, presenting an idea, or leading a group of peers. Dance also has the power to support confidence, decision-making, self-awareness, and community. It is my goal that dance be available for anybody and everybody.

      For me, The Roeper School demonstrates my personal beliefs about education and learning processes including discovery, inspiration, joy, and support. The campus is energized by individuality, supported by the community, and I feel very lucky to participate and engage with like-minded humans.