At North Surrey Secondary in British Columbia, Canada, Shirley Clements, a dedicated teacher, shared her passion for dance with her students. As she approached retirement after devoting many years to teaching, she proved that age is truly just a number.
In 2015, despite her impending retirement, Clements, a 60-year-old Canadian dance instructor, refused to let melancholy take over. Instead, she decided to participate with her students in a dance competition she had founded 19 years earlier. Witnessing this competition would forever change your perspective on aging.
As the younger dancers took their places and began executing impressive choreography to Bruno Mars’s “Uptown Funk,” all eyes were on Clements as she joined them on the floor. At her age, in her 60s at the time, Clements didn’t just dance well—she dazzled.
Her flawless execution and ability to keep up with the younger dancers left everyone in awe. Demonstrating each dance step with precision, she performed alongside her students and taught them through her example.
It’s no surprise that a video of Clements dancing, posted in January, quickly went viral. Alongside her students, the retiring instructor showcased remarkable talents. Nearly two decades earlier, she had founded the Outbreak Dance Competition to promote hip-hop and breakdancing.
“I have a deep passion for dance,” Clements declared. “I’ve been dancing since I was four years old.”
During a performance of Bruno Mars’s “Uptown Funk,” Clements demonstrated her dancing prowess, igniting the audience’s enthusiasm. She knew her students wouldn’t forget this moment. As the female dancers stepped back, making way for the boys to take the stage, their favorite teacher joined them, and her success was undeniable.
After just 20 seconds, she effortlessly executed a headstand, a feat most people could never accomplish. She bid farewell to her career with a memorable performance, drawing her entire class around her to shower her with well-deserved praise.
The video showcased not only her exceptional dance skills but also her contribution to establishing a lasting legacy for the school. Clements emphasized, “I believe it’s incredibly important for people to understand the significance of supporting their children.”
She highlighted the enduring impact of the Outbreak competition on the students of Surrey and stressed the importance of administrative support for educators. “We should do everything in our power to strengthen this community,” she concluded.