Nakia Espinal grew up attending Kimball Elementary and Carter G. Woodson Junior High School, so she fully understands where her students come from. “I often remind them that I was once them, I share their background,” she explains. “I always tell them that we come from the same neighborhood, therefore I take no excuses. We can and we will execute excellence.” She remembers her own dance teacher at Kimball, Ms. McQueen, who encouraged her and took her to her first performance at the Kennedy Center. “I knew then, in the 1st grade, that my life would be surrounded by dance.” Mrs. Espinal has brought this excitement to her school community, one of the few schools that even have a dance program.

Mrs. Espinal serves as a team leader at Sousa, where she and her colleagues consider themselves a family. “We eat together, we hang out together, we share ideas, and we assist each other,” she says. She praises her students’ dedication, impressed that they show up even when they are tired or sick. George Hill, a Master Educator with DCPS who has observed Mrs. Espinal on several occasions, adds, “She will admit that she is tough while teaching dance, but she also teaches pride, poise, self-respect, character, and perseverance.”  Mrs. Espinal promotes self-confidence, telling her students upon entering her room, “You are a dancer, even if you do not think you are a dancer.”