WESTBROOK - Behind the big glass windows facing Congress Street in Portland, Westbrook High School English teachers Brian Flynn and Cynthia DosAnjos moved in unison across the dance floor.

"Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow," dance instructor Larry Littlefield repeated as the two tangoed for the first time.

After an hour of instruction at Maine Ballroom Dance, they were starting to get it.

"I'm going to be doing this in the hallway tomorrow," DosAnjos said.

Flynn and DosAnjos are one of 13 pairs of faculty members competing this in a fundraiser for the high school's senior class, based on the popular television show, "Dancing with the Stars."

Each couple was allowed take up to three ballroom dance lessons in preparation for the first round Thursday, after which all but seven teams will be eliminated. Next week, the remaining contestants will take free-style dance lessons at Drouin Dance Studio in Westbrook, and a winner will be declared after the final dance-off on Nov. 19.

Both dance studios donated the lessons, and Voila, a salon in Westbrook, will be styling the female contestants' hair for free, as well. A panel of three teachers, Tim Eisenhart, Cari Sbardella and Ryan Hutchins, are judging the competition.

Class officer Leanne Lessard said everyone at school's excited, but no one more than the faculty contestants.

"When we had the first meeting, our class president was trying to calm them down. It was like role reversal," she said.

Lessard said it was difficult trying to get enough male teachers to participate, but there were more than enough women who wanted to compete. Kathy Bailey, a guidance counselor, was one of the more eager contestants.

"I love to dance," she said. "It's a great stress reliever. It takes your mind off everything else."

Bailey and her salsa partner, Shannon Belt, said anticipation of the event has created a lot of positive energy among the students and some friendly rivalries between the teachers.

"I want to make sure the kids get a good laugh," Belt said.

Senior Chad Egeland has that covered. The high school's resident videographer, Egeland has been interviewing the contestants and compiling footage from the dance lessons to supplement the dance contest, similar in style to the television show.

"We're trying to mock it, pretty much," Egeland said.

And the teachers are more than comfortable being themselves in front of the camera. In one pre-lesson interview, special education teacher Dave Ennis held up some costume possibilities he'd picked out, including a dress and a pair of women's underwear.

"The kids get to see a different side of us, a fun side," said Bailey.

Principal Marc Gousse, who declined several offers to participate, said he's proud of the students for coming up with an innovative idea for raising money and following through with it.

"It was really outside of the box, instead of a bake sale or a car wash," he said.

And now that he's seen how much fun the faculty is having, Gousse admits he's feeling a tinge of regret.

As two of the pairs passed each other at the dance studio last week, the rivalry became apparent.

"I'm watching you," DosAnjos said, as Belt and Bailey walked by.

"You'll be watching us win," Belt retorted.

But DosAnjos made sure she had the last word.

"Keep talking smack," she said. "Keep talking."