Not one, not two but teaching four subjects at a time, my day travels at a million miles per hour – swirling in lesson plans, class discussions, and endless assignments to grade. Teaching is an enriching yet demanding profession, where constant mental alertness and emotional resilience are required. In the daily chaos of teaching, what keeps me grounded and how I find solace is by doing something a little unusual – dance.

My poster will have the words, ‘keep calm and dance’. These words best sum up what helps me keep the balance both professionally and personally.

I always liked the beat and freedom that come with dance. While I do not have formal training in it, dancing is close to my heart. It started as a private indulgence, something that I did in the privacy of my room. Over time, dancing evolved into a vital coping mechanism – a way to release tension and express emotions that words often fail to capture.

One of my favourite memories is from an inter-school dance competition. The auditorium was abuzz with loud chattering, sharp lights on the stage, and foot tapping music. Between student performances, I would take the floor and dance, genuinely enjoying the moment. The energy was so infectious that I couldn’t help but pull the other teachers onto the stage. The students cheered, and us teachers cut loose, letting go of the usual classroom formalities. That impromptu dance didn’t just bring me closer to them, it also sent a message to the students that it’s all right to have fun and express yourself, whatever your age or position.

My impulse to dance is not limited to spaces and events where music is playing. There are times I find myself grooving in the school corridors or even in the elevator when no one is watching – or sometimes when everybody is! You will likely find me doing a little shimmy on my way to class or tapping my feet while waiting for the copier. These unplanned dance moments are fast-moving, jovial reminders to live in the present moment and not take life too seriously.