Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Stephanie Metzger of arlington

Stephanie Metzger shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Stephanie , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
We recently celebrated our three year anniversary, and time truly flew by. To go from small dance lessons with 20 people in a coffee shop and sending those profits to dance teacher friends to help teach salsa lessons once a week to kids… to now hosting dance events with over 1,200 people a month, and funding entire school year dance programs for Title 1 schools — its unbelievable. I had to look around an pinch myself, and I am always so grateful for the opportunity to do something I love with my community.

For our 3 year anniversary we did a Homecoming theme, and had people do ‘promposals’ to ask their friends or significant others to the dance. Getting to host an event that let people relive or recreate fun memories, and have moments to celebrate and enjoy with each other was such a blessing. I couldn’t stop smiling seeing our community having so much fun, while helping create lasting impact on our schools.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Stephanie Metzger, and I am the executive director of Non-profit Inspira Dance. Our mission is to make the benefits of dance accessible, primarily through Title 1 public schools and community events. We host weekly dance events for the community, that help fund free dance programs for Title 1 public schools. When you come learn Salsa or Country Swing with us, those proceeds directly help us pay professional dance instructors to be full time in our schools.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
While studying community development, I went to work with missionaries in Costa Rica. I was primarily teaching in a school that was reconstructed after an earthquake, and it was there that I was introduced to a book called “When Helping Hurts”. Tomas and Chelsea were wonderful mentors to me during this time, and had me take a deeper look at what sustainable community development means and looks like. Often our culture wants instant gratification when helping: a quick donation, painting a building, or some quick physical manifestation of our ‘help’. The intent is good, therefore we think the impact must be good as well. But it was here I learned about many ‘good intentioned’ efforts that actually harm communities in the long run, and that one of the most valuable things we can offer is our time. It was through deep reading, mentorship, and experience that really shaped my views around community development, and why Inspira is structured the way that it currently is. Our mission cannot be achieved without community involvement, and we are so grateful for all the community members who contribute in different ways to making our corner of the world a little bit brighter, better, and more joyful.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
Some of those closet to me know this already, but I do deeply miss my full time teaching days. They’re the type of memories that get fonder and rosier as time goes on, when the reality was it was an all consuming job and not something that was sustainable for me. I think most teachers get this, a deep love of working with students but the admin and lifestyle around it can make it incredibly difficult. That being said, the connections I had with my students I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I really loved those kids, and the smallest things will remind me of the joy I had in my classroom. I could have a day teaching where one minute I was helping a student that had never learned to read make real progress, while another wants to show me the salsa moves we learned that she then used at her quince, and then working with students excited about their Minecraft Aztec project. There was never a dull moment, and I really felt like all my attributes were used in the best way when I was teaching. Teaching is a joy when the admin and school culture is healthy.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Matthew 22:37-39 really sums up how I try to live my live. I think actions speak louder than words, and I seek to love God and my neighbors as best I can through my actions.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I’m less concerned about any achievements or any particular moment that I’d want people to remember, and more so want people to remember how I made them feel. I’d hope I made my friends, family, and community feel loved and cared for,

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Image Credits
Rob Webb (Webb Studios)

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