September 29, 2023
By BARTON HENLEY
Rutherford County Schools
Erika Shanklin, graduation coach at LaVergne High School, has been coaching dance in Rutherford County Schools for years.
This year brings a new dynamic to her coaching as she welcomes her daughter, Jazmyn, to coach alongside her.
Both employees of LaVergne High School – Jazmyn works as an educational assistant – look to grow their dance team and their relationship with one another.
“It’s a different dynamic,” says Erika. “I’m used to being mom to Jazmyn but now being called coach around her is different.”
“It has been an incredible experience so far,” says Jazmyn, who graduated from Blackman in 2020. “I never thought that I would be able to work with my mom, but I would definitely recommend it.”
By working together, each has found the other brings a different strength to the program.
“Jazmyn brings the cultural relevance to our dance team while I am able to do more of the administrative side of things,” says Erika. “It has given us a great balance. Jazmyn being younger helps a lot. She can appeal to the team and our student body.”
The opportunity has given Jazmyn a chance to see a different side of her mother.
“I have learned that my mom is very detailed and meticulous about things,” says Jazmyn. “It has been really neat to learn from my mom, not as her daughter, but as a co-worker through coaching dance.”
They want the dance team to see them work together and be collaborative despite differences in opinion.
“We want the team to see that we love working together,” says Erika. “We may not always agree but we will always have their best interest in mind when making decisions.”
The Shanklins are working on building a culture and they have a huge goal for their team: to compete at nationals in Orlando, Florida.