On Teacher Appreciation Day, it seems only fitting to honor one of the most influential teachers in my life. Very recently my beloved director “Miss Jonnie” passed away. She led a truly inspiring life, and I was so incredibly fortunate to be a part of it. Miss Jonnie welcomed me to her studio when I was probably about 9 years old. It seems so long ago. I remember being so nervous to start at a new studio; I would have to make new friends, and get used to a new environment. But Miss Jonnie was so friendly and so kind, she made the transition easier than I could have ever thought.
Miss Jonnie offered me, and my fellow dancers, top quality training in a variety of styles of dance. While at her studio, I was given opportunities that shaped me into the dancer and woman I am today. Miss Jonnie wanted us, her students, to succeed on whatever path we took, and gave us the tools to do so. I learned so much from that woman, she was an excellent teacher, and an overall very classy lady. She reminded us to work hard, and to meet every challenge head on. Miss Jonnie had a smile for everyone, and made sure you felt heard, respected, and appreciated. She always had time to speak with you, give you words of encouragement, and lessons when you needed them.
Even after I graduated from high school and left her studio, Miss Jonnie always supported me from afar. Whenever I got the chance to visit she would welcome me back with open arms and ask all about how I was doing at school. She never failed to tell me how proud she was of me, and that means so much more than I can even begin to explain. I will miss her so very much, as will so many others. She was an incredible woman, and her legacy lives on in each one of her students.
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