Video: Riverview Teacher's Dance-Off With Students Goes Viral

RIVERVIEW, FL — A video posted of a Hillsborough County high school teacher is going viral following a dance-off with students when she proved she's got "moves like Jagger."

During an exam break just before the winter holiday at Sumner High School and Academy 2027 in Riverview, Yolanda Turner decided to relieve her eighth-grade students' testing anxiety by challenging them to a dance-off.

The video of the dance-off posted by Sumner High Assistant Principal Natalie McClain has now gone viral with more than 5.1 million views as of Wednesday.

Turner has also been featured on CNN, Fox News and even received a note from Dr. Bernice King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter.

She said she can't believe the reaction to a spur-of-the-moment effort to help her students unwind.

"You know, the music was on, all the kids were pumped, so I just said, 'Let's have a dance challenge," Turner said.

She said she's always encouraged her students to not be afraid to express themselves so she decided to follow her own advice and show off her dance moves.

However, the 51-year-old teacher said she never expected such a simple gesture would impact so many people.

She shared one letter she received on her Facebook page.

"It was so heart-warming to see there are still phenomenal educators such as yourself," said the writer, a 41-year-old disabled combat veteran who lives in Arizona. "The classroom is where the war really is and has been for decades. Ma'am, I want to thank you for your service. Thank you for inspiring our youth and encouraging them to be unique. People like you give me hope for our tomorrow."

A product of Hillsborough County Schools (she graduated from Bloomingdale High School), Turner has been a teacher for 18 years. She currently teaches the middle school AVID program at Sumner High, an academic acceleration program aimed at preparing students for four-year college, as well as the girls' track coach.

In her spare time, she's also work as a DJ at Ultimate Experience Entertainment Services since 2003.

Not surprisingly, Turner has been honored for her innovative instructional methods and classroom behavior management techniques. And she's been invited to share her teaching philosophy with fellow educators at various education conferences including the Florida League of Middle Schools Annual Conference and the AVID Summer Institute.

Turner said she believes building a rapport with her students, even if it means challenging them to a dance-off, is critical to reaching them in the classroom.

Her dance moves also won her kudos from both friends and strangers across the country.

"You've been that teacher who was not only educating the youth but always leading by example to make change," Randall Martin said. "This generation is definitely blessed to have a great role model and teacher like you."

"You’re definitely the perfect example of an amazing teacher touching our beautiful kids' lives," said Jenny McCullough Holland. "Keep being YOUnique."

Friend Michelle LaTrice said Turner has always exhibited a natural love of life in and out of the classroom. "So glad it's been captured and shared with the world."

"The look on their (the students') faces said it all. So absolutely awesome," said Janet Spence.

"This is how you change lives," said the Rev. Tommy J. Rodgers.

"Love hearing that your vibrant love for teaching and inspiring has gotten noticed," Stacey Dawn said.

In reaction to all the comments, Turner said, "My heart is overwhelmed."