With Deb Gately, a dancing Dedham 'star'

Q & A

November 25, 2011|Natalie Feulner, Globe Staff

Deb Gately is one of six Dedham “stars” vying for the most votes at the Dec. 3 Dedham Education Partnership’s “Dancing with the Dedham Stars” fund-raiser at Moseley’s on the Charles. Gately and her partner Chris Uy, a professional dancer, will perform a two-minute dance they’ve been practicing for weeks. She recently took time to answer a few questions about her experiences so far.

Q: What do you do for a living or while you aren’t dancing?
Gately: I just started my third year as the principal at Dedham Middle School. I am in my 19th year in education and am also enrolled in Northeastern University’s doctoral program in educational leadership. I have finished my classes and am now working on my dissertation; that is, I will be working on my dissertation once dance rehearsals and the show are over.

Q: Why did you want to participate in the Dancing with the Dedham Stars program?
Gately: Once I was asked by the president of the Dedham Educational Partnership, Dimitria Sullivan, I wanted to participate for two reasons. First, the DEP does wonderful work in supporting the students of Dedham. Second, I think all of the people with whom I work in Dedham know that I am always looking to take on a new challenge. I certainly got one in preparing for this fund-raiser.

Q: Do you have any former dance experience? How is that impacting your participation?
Gately: My dance experience is limited to performing in school plays while I was a teacher in the Waltham Public Schools from 1993 to 2009. For each spring musical there would be a staff/parent number in which we were all taught the most basic steps possible for our routine. Although I do not have much dance experience, I do take a Zumba fitness class, when I am not rehearsing, twice a week. I’ve incorporated some of those moves into my routine.

Q: What has been the most challenging aspect thus far?
Gately: Getting up out of bed the morning after a dance rehearsal. Many of my rehearsals have been doubled up in the past couple of weeks, so I’ve been doing rehearsals for one and a half hours instead of 45 minutes. I am the only dancer rehearsing in Belmont, which is great because I’m near where I live, but it is tricky getting to rehearsals right after school in the afternoon.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of this experience?
Gately: Working with a great partner and learning the routine. I also have enjoyed getting to know the other dancers through our meetings and our preparation for the group number for the finale. I am the only dancer who doesn’t live in Dedham, but the others are so welcoming and we enjoy sharing our experiences from all of our rehearsals.

Q: What are you thinking about these days with the performance right around the corner?
Gately: I’m making the final preparations for my costume and wearing my dance shoes as much as possible indoors in order to break them in. I am also working on my fund-raising efforts for the Dedham Educational Partnership. Luckily, my line of work keeps me pretty occupied so I don’t have too much down time to be nervous.

Q: What is something all Dedham residents should know about you?
Gately: Many of the residents in Dedham know me simply as Ms. Gately, the principal of the middle school. I would also like for them to know that in addition to being deeply committed to the students and schools in Dedham that I am also someone who enjoys having fun. I am hoping that my very uncharacteristic dance routine will show them that.

Natalie Feulner can be reached at natalie.feulner@gmail.com.