Meg Elder
Anaheim High School
Anaheim, CA

"I have seen first-hand the power of the arts to transform lives and I am humbled by the awesome responsibility of bringing that potential to life in my classroom. I help students learn to have hope for a different future and help them realistically envision themselves there."

"Mrs. Elder dedicates her professional life to teaching dance and helping children believe they can perform. Her program has infused self-confidence in children and has promoted achievement, cultural awareness, and confidence in thousands of Anaheim students over the past decade."

The focus of Meg's class is ultimately on self-expression and on students taking charge of their own learning and lives. Meg creates an environment in which students can take risks and push themselves past the point where they believe they can go. Creative exercises are a part of her classes at every level. Students are asked to examine connections between dance and what they are learning in math, science, history, or English. "They are expected to form ideas and opinions that can be demonstrated through movement. In the process, they discover the relevance of every subject and realize they have more power and control over their lives than they at first realized," says Meg.

Other Highlights:

• Arts Educator of the Year for Secondary Dance, Orange County Music & Arts Administrators Association, 2002
• Dance Educator of the Year for State of California, California Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 2000
• Teacher of the Year, Anaheim High School, 1997
• Independent consultant in movement & choreography in the USA and Europe, 1997-Present
• Annually produces one full-length dance concert, a school- wide musical, and an invitational dance festival
• Coordinates 20-30 performances for school and community events throughout the year
• Produced and toured with an annual holiday dance program for elementary schools & retirement homes
• Produced the first-ever Folklorico Dance Festival in Orange County, CA combining professional & high school dance groups
• Envisioned, created, and instructed a district-wide GATE special focus class in choreography for 7th - 12th graders
• Director, California Dance & Movement Summer Workshop, 2000
• Presenter at various conferences and workshops
• Vice President for Dance, California Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 1997-98