Michelle Slay has danced for most of her life. While this St. Petersburg native began dancing at the young age of nine, she found her way to teaching later in life, describing her journey as “coming in through the back door.” Today, as an Education Foundation Teacher Ambassador, she’s sharing her experiences and connecting with teachers across other schools in Sarasota County to give back and support teachers everywhere.
At 23, Slay married her husband, a member of the Air Force, and they moved to Sacramento, where she began teaching dance. “I taught Color Guard and also started teaching at larger dance studios there, eventually becoming the master choreographer at the historic Roseville Theater,” she said. While at Roseville, she discovered that a college degree in dance education existed and was encouraged to apply to the University of South Florida. She attended the last audition in August, was accepted, and immediately started the program.
As a non-traditional student, Slay graduated at the age of 32. She quickly began working at Northport High School, where she has remained for the last 21 years. She started as a guest teacher, learning a great deal in the process. At the time, the dance program at Northport had 80 students, most of whom were beginners. “Many students had never danced before,” she said. “Either because they hadn’t been exposed to it or because it was unaffordable.” Under Slay’s leadership, the program grew to its largest size ever, with 156 students. Today, with the addition of a full-time ballet instructor, the program serves 120 students, offering classes in ballet, jazz, and modern dance, as well as instruction in anatomy and history as part of their technique training.
Beyond the physical rigor, Slay believes that dance is transformational on many levels. She emphasizes that students must take responsibility for their own learning and thinking, demonstrating their ability to listen, process information, and execute what is asked of them—a valuable skill in any career. She also recognizes the soft skills that dance fosters, such as personal growth, maturity, improved communication, and mutual respect. She prides herself on creating a trusting, comfortable, and safe environment where students know there is zero tolerance for verbal or physical disrespect. “No one should be fearful in my classroom.”
When people learn that she teaches dance, their reactions can sometimes be dismissive. “They’ll say things like, ‘Well, that’s fun,’ which feels like a shock to my heart. I feel devalued, like they don’t take me seriously.” She is passionate about making others recognize the challenges that dance presents.
“People don’t understand it. Dance is one of the most difficult art forms—not just physically exhausting but mentally demanding. Dancers are asked to do so much all at once. It’s difficult to master, and you’re never going to be perfect. You learn how to work with your weaknesses, minimize them, and capitalize on your strengths. You have to fall in love with the process of training in order to truly excel as a performer.”
Over the years, several of Slay’s students have “fallen in love” with that process and gone on to successful dance careers. One former student is now a dancer in New York, another teaches Tango, and her own daughter, after receiving significant dance scholarships and graduating from college in Jacksonville, currently dances with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.
As a teacher ambassador for the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Slay is a firm believer in the value of education and exposure to the arts. “The arts provide a very personal education, and when students connect with mentors, they can learn so much.” She saw this firsthand when she applied for and received a classroom grant last fall from the Education Foundation. Her goal was to provide students with opportunities to visit colleges they might want to attend. So far, the $3,000 grant has funded transportation for students to meet with department heads at the University of South Florida, Florida Southern College, and Miami’s New World School of the Arts.
“Many kids wouldn’t set foot on a college campus without this kind of support,” Slay said. She actively seeks resources to help make higher education more accessible for her students and their families. As a first-generation college graduate who had to navigate the process on her own, she understands how impactful these opportunities can be in motivating students to further their education.