Esrom Williams Jr., East High School and Washington Middle School for the Arts, Green Bay Area Public School District
As a research artist in dance, Esrom is an eclectic choreographer, educator and dancer merging the lines between classical and contemporary dance styles. His interdisciplinary studies in western and ethnical dance guides his movement creations while investigating topics of race, gender, mental health, hybridity, and social justice in his works. As a dance artist, he tries to explore beyond the boundaries, limitation, and criticisms that slips through our fingers. Hailing from an Indo-Jamaican heritage that pushes his movement exploration and identities in Asian Indian American Contemporary Dance, Esrom has created a challenged tonality between the American culture and diasporas from the Caribbean.
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Chris: What or who inspired you to become a teacher?
Esrom: In my sophomore year of high school, I remembered enrolling in the inaugural dance course for our performing arts department. Our teacher, who taught physical education, didn’t know much about dance but was an advocate for dance. She allowed myself and a few other classmates to engage our creativity, physicality, and leadership by teaching the course for the semester. At the end of that school year, I received an award for showcase creativity, leadership, and resilience in the performing arts. This moment was one of the main inspirations that led me to my career in education, specifically dance. It validated the imperative need within our country to continue the expansion of dance and the performing arts in our education system.
Chris: How long have you been teaching, and what subjects/grades have you taught?
Esrom: This year is my 8th year within Dance Education! Over the past 8 years, I have had the privilege of teaching all levels of Dance education. I initially started teaching dance in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, Nevada at Valley High School where I spent two years supporting their dance program. Then in 2019 I moved back to Florida and started creating works in higher education with Broward College in Davie, Florida. In August of 2021, I transitioned my teaching journey to Green Bay, Wisconsin to build and direct the dance programs for The Fine Arts Institute at East High School and Washington Middle School for the Arts.
Chris: What keeps you passionate about teaching?
Esrom: My passion for teaching lies in the continuation of lineage, knowledge, and impact dance has on our students, communities, and cultures. Educating others on the multiplicities, dualities, and true nature of dance and the performing arts is what keeps me passionate about what I do within the lens of education.
Chris: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from your students?
Esrom: One of the biggest lessons I have learned from my students is that we all deserve to have an environment to grow and thrive in. Many of my past and present students reflect on their goals to pursue the performing arts and they declare it would not have been possible without an environment that encouraged and supported them. Having a supportive and positive environment, regardless of field of study, is key to the success of our students.
Chris: What is one thing about your classes/students that you are especially proud of?
Esrom: I am proud of the vulnerability and confidence that is unleashed within my students. Because many of my students do not have the privilege to experience dance outside of my classroom, their growth and development in regards to their passion, physicality, and power are easily identified when they complete my courses.
Chris: Why are the arts essential for young people to study?
Esrom: The Visual and Performing Arts are a vital part of all cultures, communities, and societies and connect younger generations to their roots. Because of the many forms that are encompassed within the Arts, they serve not just a specific group of people, but can touch everyone who engages with it. Understanding the massive impacts that the Arts have in our world is the essential reason why young people deserve to experience them within their curricular studies.
Chris: What advice would you give to new teachers just starting out?
Esrom: Advocacy and patience would be the two words I would advise new teachers to embed into their teaching and leadership styles as they begin their journey into education. Teachers are not only advocating for our students and school communities, but also for self preservation. Teaching requires a lot from educators, which can sometimes feel overwhelming, but is always rewarding. Exercising patiences has helped ground me in the understanding of advocacy, knowing that change and growth for education takes time to unfold and present itself into the successes of our students and communities.
Chris: What unrealized goals do you have for yourself?
Esrom: One of the unrealized goals that I have acknowledged throughout my 8 years of teaching, is the goal of changing the hearts and minds of people who do not fully understand and accept the complexities of what dance, education, and artistry have to offer our world. The Performing Arts has led me and many others into thriving arenas of our lives and I believe everyone should gain the opportunity to experience the feeling of thriving, whether it’s emotional, physical, or communal.
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