Mayes Takes Top Teaching Honor in Dance at Arkansas Conference
Posted on 11/14/2007
Susan Mayes, an instructor in the Department of Health Science, Kinesiology, Recreation and Dance, was recently named 2007 Dance Education Teacher of the Year.
Mayes won the honor at the annual convention Nov. 1-2 of the Arkansas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in Eureka Springs. She won the same award in 1996.
Mayes has taught at the University of Arkansas since the fall of 1972 and has served as coordinator of undergraduate studies for her department since 1993. She teaches several sections of ballroom dance each spring that include dances such as the fox-trot, waltz, cha cha, swing, tango, rumba, salsa and samba. She also teaches a number of pedagogical courses including a class called Teaching Rhythms for prospective teachers. They learn how to teach children activities from sing-a-longs in preschool to aerobics and social dancing in high school. During the spring of 2008, she will supervise student teaching interns.
“Susan Mayes is the consummate teacher and advisor, and students just gravitate to her because they readily recognize that she genuinely cares about them as individuals,” said Sharon Hunt, head of the department.
Mayes currently serves as vice president of dance on the state association’s board and as dance education council chair for the Southern District of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She has served as Southern District’s representative to the association’s national and district representative assemblies. In addition to presenting and performing at the state, regional and national conventions, Mayes works to secure and promote other presenters.
According to information that accompanied the award, Mayes’ ballroom dance classes have had the highest enrollment of any elective at the University of Arkansas. Her passion for dance shows in her teaching style as she instills confidence and poise in her students and “destroys any awkwardness” they may feel. Mayes once had a student propose marriage to another student in her class.
She won the College of Education and Health Professions award for advising in 2000 and 2005. In addition, she won the HKRD Teaching Award in 1995 and the HKRD Service Award in 2000.We want to hear from you. Please e-mail comments and feedback to Heidi Stambuck at stambuck@uark.edu.