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Chelsea Branch » Ms. Branch's Biography

Ms. Branch's Biography

Chelsea Branch is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She attended Hope College in Holland, MI and graduated with a BA in Dance Education K-12 and a minor in English Education. Chelsea worked at Hamilton Elementary School as the dance and yoga teacher. During her years at Hamilton, she designed and implemented a PK-8 dance curriculum centered around National Arts Standards that created opportunities for student creativity and voices. Chelsea worked closely with classroom teachers to build arts integrated units in literacy, math, and science. Additionally, she assisted in leading SEL initiatives that greatly improved the climate and culture for students. Mindfulness is a core value in Chelsea‘s work with students and she was trained by Mindful Schools. Chelsea is passionate about sharing yoga and is certified in Yoga Calm, Rainbow Kids Yoga, and became a RYT 200 yoga teacher through Marianne Wells Yoga School in Costa Rica. 

In her free time, Chelsea loves to read fiction and memoirs, cook (although she’s not very skilled yet), and is a professional dancer and choreographer. Chelsea co-owns The Rooted Space, a dance studio in North Center and serves as the Kids' Business Coach for Guppy Tank, a grant and mentorship program for young entrepreneurs.  

 
 

Posts

Kindergarteners loved reading about Gerald, a tall giraffe who didn't know he could dance in "Giraffes Can't Dance." After reading, we talked through goals we wanted to achieve and just couldn't do quite YET. The students listed interests such as "backflip," "ballet," and "balancing on one foot." We are excited to get to work on achieving these goals! 
Every year I choose a quote to keep the dance program grounded. This year, I decided to share it with the older students so that they can help create a space where each student can be themselves. 
Kindergarten and first graders read ¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! this week and danced to the sounds of Latin Jazz. If you are looking to move to the fun music at home with your family, try the Mambo Classics playlist on Spotify for a great pre-chosen selection of Latin Jazz music full of energy and passion! ¡Qué Rico!

On Deck: Yoga for Sport!

Decatur's 5th-8th graders are beginning a Yoga for Sport unit in PE and yoga classes. Coach and I designed the unit so that students are prepared to take care of their bodies, minds, and teams as they advance further into the world of sports. Even if a student doesn't play for a team, they can use the tools we will be teaching to keep themselves and others healthy and thriving. Check out this video that we are watching in class this week to start to learn the physiology of our bodies. 

Relaxation is always more sweet after a class of Yogarrrr! We use our bean bag "parrots" to help find the weight of our bodies in the mat and use them as tools to relax. 
Our Newsies, Jr. choreography has begun! This week, the 4th grade classes generated choreography with their props, newspapers for their show numbers!  
Kindergarten and First graders have been competing against their own timing trying to get faster and neater when rolling up their yoga mats!
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