Following Advanced Dance’s performance at the Winter Rally, 19 Sequoia staff members took the stage to perform the annual Teacher Dance, a tradition that dates back to the ‘90s. Dance teacher Taylor White, works with teachers as well as student choreographers to bring the performance to life.

Though the Teacher Dance isn’t performed until the Winter Rally, preparation begins in the fall, when the teachers choose songs and themes for their performance. Then, White finds student choreographers from her Advanced Dance class, who create the dance during flex or lunch. In November or December, once the dance is finished, White records the choreography and sends out the videos to the participating staff members.

In January, four weeks before Winter Rally, rehearsals begin. They practice every day at lunch, and the student choreographers teach one dance every two days. White, who learns the dances alongside the other teachers, enjoys working with Sequoia staff just as much as with her students.

“The teachers are similar to my students as they have a strong desire to perform their best. They love to run the dances over and over–even after the bell has rung, like some of my students,” White said. 

The teachers also used this opportunity in front of the crowd to show their support for immigrants. While dancing, many of the teachers wore signs on their backs with messages such as “Immigrants are welcome here” and “We are on native land,” an idea was thought of by history and ethnic studies teacher Diana Nguyen

“The big message is that our staff is supportive of students who are immigrants, and who come from immigrant backgrounds. … That’s what we’re saying, is keep families together,” Nguyen said.

On the day of the rally, a nation-wide shutdown in support of immigration rights and against I.C.E. was happening, as well as the Sequoia walkout. 

“The sign was a small sign of solidarity with the nationwide campaign that I did not participate in as I showed up to work and went about my day. I am a daughter of immigrants and this part of my identity has been integral to why I began teaching 9 years ago at Sequoia High School. I personally found it deeply ironic and unsettling to dance to Spanish-language music apolitically on a day students were walking out in protest of the dehumanization of immigrants and people of color in America,” Nguyen said.

The Teacher Dance also provides an opportunity for Sequoia staff to spend time with each other that they otherwise wouldn’t. 

“I don’t have many opportunities to hang out with other adults on campus, so it is a yearly highlight to catch up with the returning “old school” staff dancers. Furthermore, I love getting to know our new staff. Equally exciting is the thrill we all get from the actual performance. The energy created by 1500 students cheering for their teachers is quite exhilarating,” White said.