Dance Education is So Much More Than Technique, Says First M.Ed. Graduates Monday, May 18, 2026
Dancers who also want to teach in a PK-12 school setting can prepare for certification through Point Park's M.Ed. in Dance Education. Pictured is Anna Cannavo, a Point Park alumna in her role as Dance Coach at Mt. Lebanon High School.
"One of the most valuable lessons that I learned in graduate school is that there is so much more to being a dance educator than teaching technique."
In 2023, when Pennsylvania approved a teaching certification in dance education, Point Park was the first university to have its degree approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This May, the first graduates of the program received their degrees and are eligible for certification.
"I am exceptionally proud of our first graduating class of M.Ed. in Dance Education students," said Colleen Hooper, Ph.D., director of dance education and associate professor in the School of Dance. "They are the first graduates eligible for PK-12 Dance Certification in Pennsylvania, and these students exemplify creativity, professionalism and enthusiasm for dance as an art form. Through their coursework and student teaching, they have done so much to further dance education in Pennsylvania. I am confident they will impact generations of dance students for years to come."
Fanta Mshindi, who graduated from Point Park in 2005 with a degree in elementary education and a minor in dance (modern), returned as a member of the inaugural class in the master's in dance education.
"I loved the foundation that Point Park set for me when I was an undergraduate," Mshindi said.
Mshindi is a dance educator at the Philadelphia High School for Girls, which she describes as her "dream job." The master's degree sets her up to not only succeed in her current role but also to set her sights on being a college professor in the field and coaching other dance educators in the future.
"One of the most valuable lessons that I learned in graduate school is that there is so much more to being a dance educator than teaching technique. A well-rounded dance educator must expose their dance students to strong technique, dance history, pedagogy, critically analyze dance compositions, render costumes, create and edit music, inspire a space for student choreographic voices, and tap into the joy of dance."
Jacob Butterfield, who graduated from Point Park in 2021 with a B.F.A. in dance, is another of the inaugural graduates. A teacher at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, Butterfield knew the program could help fill in some gaps in his teaching pedagogy, increasing his confidence in the classroom.
"I have grown to appreciate the importance of different educational practices within the classroom and not to rely on old routines that I have been doing for years," Butterfield said.
Coming from a strictly dance background, Butterfield benefited from the education classes, such as how to write a well-structured lesson plan that's easy to follow. He also learned more about differentiated instruction and how to read an IEP and apply those needs in the classroom.
"Some of the classroom practices had to be adapted so they would suit the non-traditional classroom that is a dance studio, but it was worth it as I saw the benefits blossom."
Like Mshindi, Butterfield is applying his education now but hopes the degree sets him up to move into more administrative roles in the future.
Both Mshindi and Butterfield completed the fully online degree while maintaining their full-time jobs, and both completed their student teaching at their place of employment.
Expand Your Career Possibilities with an M.Ed. in Dance Education
M.Ed. Program at a Glance
- Fully online, flexible format
- Includes 11 courses, as well as student teaching and a seminar, totaling 42 credits
- A distinctive blend of dance pedagogy and educator core competencies, taught by experienced professors who are skilled at supporting students' needs, career-readiness and quest for artistic excellence
- Students will strengthen their understanding of child development, diverse learning styles, assessment, communication and differentiated learning practices.