Cassidy Pinkston

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because of the teachers I had. I wanted to have an impact on future dancers like my teachers did on me. To see them believe in me more than I did myself changed my perspective. Now I get to believe in my students & be their biggest cheerleaders and motivators

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable moment isn’t any of the wins from my teams but small moments from connections I made with students. One that stood out was when after I moved districts, a former student wrote to me and told me she did her “Most influential person” project over me for a class. Reading what she wrote about me & moments I may have not thought were big made a huge impact on her life the trajectory she took in high school to tryout for both the dance company and cheer team.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would help provide more essentials to my dancers they need to continue growing and strengthening their technique and also giving opportunities to them to see what is out there in terms of the dance world. Coming from a small district, I love opening my kids eyes up to more than they think is even imaginable.