Philosophy

Dance Connection believes in providing a warm, safe, and professional atmosphere where each student is cared for within the Dance Connection family. We are proud to also offer a Teacher Training Program to our more serious students. It is a forum for students to gain training in teaching as well as job responsibility. Enrollment in our Teacher Training Program will provide members with the highest standard of mentoring and guidance. Dance Connection is strongly committed to enriching and nourishing the future teachers and citizens of our community. Regardless of your future career path, Dance Connection feels confident that all members of the Teacher Training Program will leave our program having learned the important life skills of: respect, responsibility, accountability, discipline, confidence, and professionalism.

Levels of the Program

I. STUDENT HELPER You are eligible to apply to be a student helper if:

• You are a minimum of 9 years old
• You currently study Ballet, Tap, & Jazz
• You can commit to at least 1 student helping class per week
• You can be responsible to complete a weekly "teacher task" within the studio

II. STUDENT TEACHER You are eligible to apply to be a student teacher if:

• Same requirements as Student Helper
• You are a minimum of 13 years old
• You have completed 3 years at the Student Helper level
• Student Teachers are encouraged to take additional dance classes to further their training
• You can commit to a minimum of 3 teaching classes per week
• You perform well in your own class, demonstrating knowledge of dance steps and dance terminology
• You will begin to oversee and direct student helpers in the classes with you
• You will be expected to begin to learn classroom management skills
• At this level, overall professionalism, both inside and outside the classroom, is closely monitored
• You are able to complete one monthly classroom observation
• You will be responsible to keep your observations up to date and submit forms to director upon request

III. ASSISTANT TEACHER You are eligible to apply to be a assistant teacher if:

• Same requirements as Student Teacher
• You are a minimum of 16 years old
• You have completed 3 years at the Student Teacher level
• You currently are studying a broad array of dance disciplines
• You are professional enough to accept and apply weekly feedback from cooperating teacher regarding your teaching methods
• You will be expected at this level to independently choreograph combinations and teach small portions for the class
• You will be expected at this level to learn and apply behavior and time management techniques
• You will be expected at this level to complete 4 observations per month and submit forms to director upon request
• You will be expected at this level to supervise TTP members during recital week
• You will be expected at this level to oversee completion of SH and ST weekly jobs
• You should begin to interact with parents of students, as well as be able to answer parent's questions or direct them to an appropriate staff member
• Assistant and Substitute Teachers will be observed and evaluated twice during the year by the Director of Teacher Training
• You will be an intern within all scheduling and staff meetings
• You may be called upon to assist in recital company or competition team rehearsals

IV. SUBSTITUTE TEACHER You are eligible to apply to be a substitute teacher if:

• Same requirements as Assistant Teacher
• You are a minimum of 18 years old
• You have completed 3 years at the Student Teacher Level
• You are currently studying a broad array of dance disciplines
• You are encouraged to further your dance education by perhaps attending workshops with mastered choreographers, in NYC, at Broadway Dance Center, etc.
• You will be required at this level to be called upon to substitute if needed
• At this level you are viewed as part of the Dance Connection staff
• You will be an intern within all scheduling and staff meetings
• You may be called upon to assist in recital company or competition team rehearsals

Is the Teacher Training Program Right For You?

• Are you able to be available during the hours of Monday thru Friday after 4:00pm and/or Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm, if you are assigned to teach a class during those times?
• Can you and your parents arrange transportation to the studio during the above times if you are scheduled to teach?
• Can you be responsible to wear appropriate attire for each dance discipline including a monogrammed TTP shirt?
• Can you commit to help out during the entire recital week?
• Are you responsible enough to check your mailbox at the studio as well as your email to read important messages and reply in a timely fashion?
• Do you always respect deadlines?
• Can you remember to complete assigned weekly jobs around the studio?
• Are you responsible enough to inform the studio when you will be absent and independently obtain coverage?

All students will be observed at the mid year mark by the Program Director and will receive a written evaluation based on this observation. This is just to see how things are going and to correct any problems early on.  At the conclusion of the season, each trainee will receive a written evaluation from each cooperating teacher they worked with during the year. They will also receive a written evaluation from each teacher they studied with during the year. Each trainee and a parent will meet with the Program Director to review these evaluations. Progression through the program will be based upon your ability to complete all of the level requirements. Trainees meeting and exceeding program requirements will be invited back the following season into the program. Advancement will be granted by the Artistic and TTP Director to program members who exhibit exceptional adherence to program requirements.