In selecting her as a Presidential Teacher, the committee recognized her as a strong example of a performer and scholar: a true intellectual with wonderfully high standards who engages her students to think critically about dance and history and to inspire enthusiastic student engagement. In the words of one classroom observer “Her spirit and intellect permeate her classroom.” She brings her teaching philosophy (described as excellent and fresh) to life in the classroom. Also of note was her commitment to engaging her students “across modalities” whereby she embraces the belief that to truly understand dance they must be solidly grounded intellectually, creatively, physically and be able to articulate their thoughts both orally and in writing.