teaching

Teaching Philosophy

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My scholarly commitment to access, inclusion, and wellness is emphasized in my role as an educator. I implement student-centered, inclusive, culturally relevant, and engaged pedagogical methods in both the studio and seminar settings. These methods encourage play, challenge traditional hierarchical classroom structures, allow for flexibility and individualization of material, and ask students to see how their role as artists fits into the larger context of our world.

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Students learn best when they feel a sense of community in the classroom—which is why I always focus on community-building before class content. Students also learn best when they feel supported, seen, and valued as their whole and honest selves. These facts serve as the foundation for all of my teaching, whether in the dance studio, the local community, or the seminar classroom.
 

As an instructor of movement technique, I specialize in integrating somatic-based principles into movement vernacular and pedagogical methods, emphasizing internal physical perception and experience.  Influenced by my work as a certified Pilates instructor, my practice as a student of somatic forms, and my knowledge in anatomy and kinesiology, I focus on finding ways to educate my students on movement efficiency, career longevity, and using breath to help facilitate a mind-body connection.

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I empower students to engage with material while honoring their own distinct bodies and their own learning affinities. Grounded in student-centered teaching methods, I emphasize individualizing and pluralizing in the development of curriculum. I communicate class materials in ways which allow each student to find a personal connection to the content while building relations with class peers. I offer a space for students to develop agency and autonomy by providing flexibility and options around how and when students submit assignments or demonstrate their knowledge.

 

In my classroom, students actively engage in the curation of their own learning process by consistently providing me with feedback, which I then use to adapt course structure to their evolving needs. When students exit my class, my central goal is that they do not leave feeling they have mastered a specific technical skill, but that they have developed personalized tools which they can carry out of the studio and into their daily lives for continued, lifelong learning.

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Student Testimonials

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"I felt like the instruction in this class was led in a way that aided my learning greatly. I benefited from both the visualization and verbal cues the most. I liked that we could watch you do the exercise, specifically on the mat, and then replicate them. I also found it both impressive and helpful that even when you weren't showing them physically, your verbal cues were clear and accurate enough that I knew exactly was was being asked still. It was effective for me because it gave me two methods for learning the exercises. One thing that I learned from this course is that I can adapt my workout/self-practice to fit how I am feeling each day instead of forcing myself to do something that is uncomfortable. Exercise shouldn't be a punishment and I like that if I am feeling a certain way, I can match my movement to it. I will take this with me and apply it to my own movement as well as share it with others when I am teaching one day." - student journal entry, Reformer Pilates I, OSU, AU21

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"I genuinely feel like I have become a better dancer from this course, and I really have gotten a lot of new inspiration for my movements. I feel like I have become a better choreographer, dancer, and have gotten better at working in groups of people to create dances. I feel like this course has made me realize even more what my strengths are, what I could work on, and where my work belongs in the dance world. I feel like I have learned more about my personal style and learn how to build on this style and expand on it." - SEI's, Minors Composition, OSU, AU21

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"Michaela was a wonderful teacher. She really knows a lot about Pilates and ways to help your body and mind. I can tell she loves what she does and and I appreciate how real she was with us. Sometimes I feel like teachers "hide" who they are feeling as a human but Michaela was very human in the best way possible. She made me feel safe in the space." - SEI's, Reformer & Jump Board Pilates II, OSU, SP21

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"Growing up, I always competed in dance. There was a right and wrong way to do every move, trick, and facial expression. This course taught me that there isn’t a wrong way, just a different way. Additionally, the check-ins were very helpful to bring me back to the present. I especially loved the counting game we did because it made me calm and focused. I also believe that the games and check-ins helped you adapt to our needs that day. I really appreciated those activities. I have learned so much about my own creative process and the value of challenging my tendencies." - anonymous feedback survey, Minors Composition, OSU, AU21

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"Michaela is a wonderful teacher. She really went above and beyond to help each student. She's flexible but organized with assignments. She clearly articulates what she is teaching and facilitates a great comforting class environment. You can tell Michaela cares about her students and their overall well–being." - SEI's, Reformer & Jump Board Pilates II, OSU, SP21

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"Michaela was the most accommodating dance instructor I have had all my time at OSU. During tough times in the semester, they worked together with me to ensure my success in the class. They encouraged us to go beyond what we are used to, pushed our boundaries and I have experienced substantial growth while in their class. I have learned the most about myself as an artist while in their class and they helped me to accomplish all of my learning objectives this semester." - SEI's, Minors Composition, OSU, AU21

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"Michaela is excellent. She is always attentive to every person in class and their individual needs and is supporting those needs in any ways possible. She also understands the strain that has been put on students due to the new ways of learning and really helped us to succeed even amidst burnout and exhaustion." - SEI's, Reformer & Jump Board Pilates II, OSU, SP21