Walking into a dance studio for the first time to teach your first class can bring up a whole host of emotions. Being excited, creatively charged and also nervous and apprehensive are all par for the course.
You’re walking into a class of dancers of varying ages and levels and responsible for offering a dance education and experience equal to all. So how do you plan and set yourself up for success? The following 5 tips are a few ideas to take with you in your dance teacher toolbox for a little planning help and peer support.
“Confidence is key.” When you walk into your class for the first time, first impressions are paramount. “Owning your class,” from the get-go is instrumental in demonstrating a positive, authoritative and reassuring presence to your students. Even if your are lacking some confidence on the inside, never let them see you sweat. Remember, you are well trained, know you’re stuff and there’s a reason why you were hired- so don’t forget all that you have to offer. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, so walk in there approachable, with a smile, eager to impart knowledge, make it about your students and know you are meant to be there... because if you don’t believe it- your dancers will certainly pick up on your insecurities and won’t believe it either. Be yourself. Trust yourself.
“Prepare and Plan”: Creating your lesson plans, being prepared and organized and knowing how to teach to the students in front of you is a special skill for a teacher. Knowing how your students learn best is optimal and getting to know their strengths and areas of improvement will only enhance their growth. Think of “backwards planning” from the biggest, overarching goal down to the most specific details within the individual lessons each week. This will create a rich delivery of content and dancers will learn fully and deeply while retaining and applying.
“Think on your Feet”: Dancers are notorious for being able to, “make it work” and be able to improvise on a dime, so be flexible enough to know when you need to take your classes in another direction or change the the delivery of your content. Some days will not go as planed whether it be the students are having an off day, it’s taking longer to teach a concept or your class is so into something you want to keep working on it... and that’s OK. Part of offering a balanced class is letting yourselves get off balance every once in awhile and enjoy the moments. So don’t be afraid to veer off the trajectory and enjoy as long as you know how to steer the ship back when it’s time.
“Not all choreography works for every class:” Choreographing is a favorite part of class and the time when we get to be creative. We love to be inspired by our dancers. It’s so important to remember that, while you need to learn to teach to the students in the room that you also need to choreograph for them. Sometimes new teachers are fixated on a song, theme or phrase they are intent on doing and it’s like sticking a square peg in a round hole. It just doesn’t work for those group of dancers. Be open enough to adapt and recognize this so you are keeping your dancers at the forefront. This isn’t about you. It’s about them and showcasing them in the best light. Just keep that amazing idea in the mental Rolodex for the class that it will work for. That class will definitely arise and the piece will be ten times better when it’s the right fit.
“Do you”: As I said before, you were hired for a reason. There’s only one you and you have to remember what you have to offer. Stay true to yourself, your originality and who you are as a teacher and dancer yourself. Don’t follow the “trend,” and give your students a chance to be inspired by something new and fresh they’ve never seen. Being current and continuing your own education is crucial to your teaching longevity and what you can continually offer your students, but keep it all balanced with originality and a thoughtful, innovative approach to teaching, especially technique and choreography. Being well rounded and thirsty for you own professional development will make you a dance teacher of substance and knowledge as well as talent.
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