As music from Coldplay and Kendrick Lamar fills the Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron gym, students follow Sara Lawrence-Sucato through a series of movements. Lawrence-Sucato, a dance teaching artist and Director of Education for Dancing Wheels Company in Cleveland, teaches five dance classes at the school every Monday, thanks to an Art Possible Ohio grant. School IEP Coordinator Sarah Pavis secured the grant, working with Art Possible Ohio Executive Director Megan Fitze.
“The students are getting an opportunity to work outside of their comfort zone and learn some new skills,” says Pavis, underscoring her delight about bringing the program to Akron Secondary students.
The classes, which interweave friendly competitions, stretching and social opportunities through periods of freeform
dance, meet the requirements of the students’ physical education courses. PE instructor Michael Looker, a.k.a. “Coach,” works in tandem with Lawrence-Sucato to teach the classes.
The exposure to dance, which in the case of Dancing Wheels unites the talents of dancers with and without disabilities, is an added plus, says Principal Ralph Grant.
“It gives students an opportunity to explore movement and grow mentally and academically. It’s another touchpoint and opportunity to expand their horizons,” says Grant, noting the benefits of the right-brain activity. “It might not be everyone’s strength, but they can still discover enjoyment and growth out of it.”
During a recent class, students huddled together in a group with Lawrence-Sucato for a free-spirited dance session abounding in laughter and unity.
“It’s about building relationships, moving bodies and bringing an experience people might not
have otherwise,” explains Lawrence-Sucato.
Sensitive to students’ individual ability levels, Lawrence-Sucato adapts her instruction accordingly. “If a student can’t lunge to the floor, it’s OK to go forward to their knee,” she offers as an example.
In this “no judgement zone,” there is little pressure, but always something to gain.
“The good part is, it wakes you up in the morning and gets you energized,” says ninth grader Star Ziemski, signing off a recent session.
The 10-week program will run through the end of March.