Her Story
About Susan
Susan Gaddy Pope, Ed.D., is a distinguished dance educator, researcher, and scholar with more than 30 years of experience in dance education, beginning her teaching career in the late 1980s. Over the course of her career, she taught dance in public schools for more than three decades, including 13 years with New York City Public Schools in Washington Heights and 20 years with Newark Public Schools. She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Montclair State University and as the BA Dance Education Coordinator within the university’s Department of Dance, where she supports the development of future dance educators. Her extensive experience includes teaching, curriculum development, student mentorship, program leadership, and advocacy for the transformative role of dance in education.
Dr. Pope earned her doctorate in 2023 from Teachers College, Columbia University, where her research focused on embodied pedagogy through an Africanist lens, including the study of Ubuntu philosophy. Her scholarship and professional work explore Portraiture Methodology, multimodal approaches to documenting lived experience, embodied storytelling, culturally responsive teaching, and the ways dance can promote healing, identity, belonging, and collective care. She is also a certified trauma-informed yoga instructor and a liturgical dancer who served for 10 years as the Director of the Dance Ministry at St. James AME Church. In addition, she founded the nonprofit I Dance for Cause, an organization dedicated to helping students access dance opportunities, and serves on the board of the Sharon Miller Dance Academy.
Throughout her career, Dr. Pope has remained committed to expanding access to dance and using movement as a pathway to creativity, wellness, self-discovery, and personal transformation. She is a member of the National Dance Educators Organization, the National Liturgical Dance Ministry Network, the NJPAC Dance Advisory Council, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Through her teaching, research, mentorship, community engagement, and advocacy, Dr. Pope continues to make a meaningful impact on the field of dance education while inspiring students and educators to recognize dance as a powerful tool for storytelling, cultural expression, healing, and human connection.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Susan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith, which serves as the foundation for how I navigate both my personal and professional life. My walk is guided by a commitment to remain aligned with God’s purpose and will for my life, and this faith provides me with the strength, clarity, and perseverance to pursue my goals and overcome challenges.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is that everything in life is a choice, and every choice comes with either a reward or a consequence. I have learned to make decisions thoughtfully, recognize that I always have options, and remain true to who I am. Ultimately, I believe in living fully, making intentional choices, and understanding that I do not have to compromise my authenticity to pursue success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the dance industry is to never lose sight of the joy you felt the first time you stepped into a dance studio or danced. Strive to help others discover and experience that same joy while remaining open to new opportunities and experiences. Travel, cultivate meaningful relationships, and prioritize your well-being, because a fulfilling career is built not only on professional growth but also on personal development, connection, and taking care of yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is overcoming the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding dance educators, particularly the perception that the profession is merely “frilly” or easy. I believe there is a significant opportunity to educate others about the many benefits of movement and the deeper role dance plays beyond social media trends such as TikTok dancing. It is important to help people understand the value of movement education, the connection between the body and learning, and the positive impact dance can have on physical, emotional, and overall well-being.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are respect, compassion, and authenticity. I believe in treating others the way I would want to be treated, approaching each person’s journey with empathy and understanding, and remaining true to myself. These values guide how I build relationships, support others, and navigate both my professional and personal life.
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