12 TRAITS...

12 Traits of a Terrific Dance Teacher

By Nichelle (January 2015) personal blog.                     

“Apart from my parents, my teachers have done the most to shape my life.” George Lucas, filmmaker

This quote started her this specific blog off, which I really like. It really made me think about the responsibilities a teacher has, we help a child grow and improve in the topic you teach them. You need to have control over the class and most of all you want them to enjoy it. I like the quotes she has added in between subtitles, I think they add more emotion to the piece, I find this source more personal and it is her own blog.

1.    Love of dance- Every source I have found so far all agree on the passion and love of dance. I think you need to love dance to teach it every day, otherwise you would dread every day you wake up.

2.    Love of teaching- You have to enjoy being surrounded by children for many hours each day, which is not for everyone. You need to be full of energy all the time, fun, loud, discipline and lots more.

3.    Has been there and keeps going- I liked this bullet point, teachers need to remember more often what it is like to be a student. This comes back to understanding and listening to your students.

“A man should first direct himself in the way he should go. Only then should he instruct others.” – Buddha

This quote could also be applied to having the professional experience of a dancer before becoming a teaching, this is what my inquiry is about.

4.    Supports you- Every child needs to know they are supported by their dance teacher, they need to feel safe and having someone who believes in you and pushes you to your full expectation.

5.    Motivates you- All children need to see your love for dance which hopefully transfers to all your students, they should want to come to class and want to dance.

6.    Respects you- Respect works both ways. I think if they enjoy the class and feel comfortable with the teacher it will come naturally. You need to respect and listen to each other.

7.    Shows empathy- You need to understand each child is going through their own battle, some worse than others. But being there for a child, having someone to talk too or just time away from their problems, time to relax means a lot.  

8.    Can adapt and be flexible- A good teacher is always willing to try a different teaching method if they see the class have not fully understood the meaning or cannot undertake a new step. Sometimes it comes down to practice a step over and over again but also a new direction can help refresh a student’s mind. A teacher should have patience’s, time and the effort and be willing to go above and beyond to help her class achieve their goals.

“You can’t direct the wind but you can adjust the sails.” ~ Anonymous

9.    Cares- Having the right physical and mental health is both very important for the students and the teacher. Teachers should be able to give their students a safe area in which the students can try, fail and grow, which is the process of learning. Also being aware and understanding what a child is going through, being aware of all situations and supporting that child.

10.  Leads a process of discovery- All teachers need to bring something mad to the studio, something that makes it interesting for the students. Teachers need to be able to create a journey for their students but also questioned it. Making the children more involved, make them think about it, instead of the teacher breaking it down let the students help they will contain the knowledge more. Exploring and problem-solving makes the class fun.

11.  Speaks to every student- Translating difficult concepts of movement to students is a gift, and being able to explain it in lots of different ways until the whole class understand that movement, what it should feel like and what it should look like. It is important that a teacher takes in every student, and makes surely they all understand not just the majority.

12.  Creates a community- Creating the right atmosphere that children feel safe to explore and take risks, a teacher just not just teach their topic but teaches life lessons, motivating and pushes a child to do better!