The other day, I woke up with a memory that suddenly popped into my brain. This happens to me sometimes, and I’m curious if it happens to you too. The memory was from when I was a probationer in my first year of teaching. I was working in a relatively small country school with three composite classes. I absolutely loved the school, and I thought the head teacher was fantastic. We got on really well, and as a passionate new teacher, I felt like I was thriving.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I was called into the head teacher’s office one day. She sat me down and, with that calm, measured tone that usually means you’re about to be told something you’re not going to like, started the conversation. She began with some lovely feedback about my energy, enthusiasm, and how much the children were enjoying my teaching. Then came the part I hadn’t expected.
“Mairi,” she said, “I feel that you’re very loud in the corridors, and that doesn’t fit with our school ethos and environment. I’d like you to consider being quieter.”
It took me a moment to process what she was saying. She was referring to the transition times of the day—before break, after lunch, and at the end of the day—when I’d get the children to organise their belongings and line up at the door. During this time, I would often sing songs—silly, repeat-after-me songs that got the kids involved, and yes, sometimes, they were loud. The reason I did this was simple: when children are left waiting without anything to do, they get restless—poking or pushing each other, sometimes leading to mischief. Singing kept them engaged and happy.
I understood the head teacher’s point, though. The noise didn’t fit with the calm, serene atmosphere the school was trying to maintain. So, not wanting to disrupt the flow, I decided not to stop my strategy, but to adapt it. Instead of abandoning the singing altogether, I turned everything into a whisper. We still sang, we still had fun, but we did it quietly—until we got out the front door of the school, where we could be louder again!
Looking back, I can see how that moment was part of a bigger journey for me. At the time, I felt a little deflated—like my natural energy and enthusiasm were somehow “too much” for the environment I was in. But I also see now how that feedback helped me grow. It taught me how to adapt without losing what made me, well, me. I learned how to channel my energy in ways that suited different spaces, and that’s a skill I’ve carried with me ever since.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve found my place—or maybe my place found me. As a Boogie Beat leader, I get to sing, dance, and bring joy to children every single day. Whether it’s in a nursery, a school, or even an intergenerational care home session, my energy and enthusiasm are not just welcomed—they’re celebrated. I’ve turned what once felt like a “doesn’t quite fit” quality into my greatest strength.
And it’s not just about me. Through Boogie Beat, I’ve seen how music and movement can light up a room. I’ve seen shy children come out of their shells, parents and carers joining in with laughter, and even older adults clapping along with a sparkle in their eyes. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the things that make us stand out in one environment are exactly what makes us shine in another.
This memory also makes me reflect on the broader idea of “fitting in.” How often do we feel like we need to tone ourselves down, squeeze into a box, or change who we are to match an
environment? And how often do we lose sight of the fact that those very traits might be our superpowers in the right context?
For me, that’s what Boogie Beat is all about. It’s about creating spaces where children and adults alike can be their full, vibrant selves. It’s about celebrating the loud, the silly, and the joyful—because that’s where the magic happens. And it’s about showing that there’s a place for everyone’s unique energy and enthusiasm—even if it takes a little while to find it.
So, I’ll leave you with this: has there ever been a time when your personality, energy, or enthusiasm didn’t quite fit the environment you were in? Did you have to tone it down or stop it altogether before finding a better place for that outlet? I’d love to hear your stories! Let me know in the comments if you’ve had an experience like mine.
And if you’d like to know more about Boogie Beat—the singing, dancing, storytelling, and laughter that I now get to call my job—head to www.boogiebeat.co.uk/edinburgh to find out more. Who knows? Maybe it’s the perfect fit for you or someone you know