7.6: So – You Want to be a Dance Educator!

Choose this profession if:

• You want to share the joy of dance with others;
• You like to see people achieve;
• You want to take the field of dance forward;
• You want to encourage others to set high standards for themselves;
• You want to be a role model in dance.

Don’t choose this profession if:

• You want job security;
• You want to showcase your dance talent;
• You enjoy dancing so much you want to dance all day;
• Another person thinks this would be a good profession for you;
• You feel you have no other career options.

In addition to the above determinants, McCutchen (2006) provided seven specific traits that supply a lens to determine whether you are well suited to a career as a dance teacher.

Trait 1: Desire to let others shine - Instead of taking the spotlight, be the spotlight for your students!

Trait 2: Determination and Perseverance - If a dance teacher devalues the profession, it jeopardizes the entire legacy of what we do!

Trait 3: Dual Perspective - See dance from your students’ viewpoint, put yourself in their shoes!

Trait 4: Broad View of Dance – Acquire a range of styles, be an advocate for multi-disciplinary training.

Trait 5: Energy - Be animated, demonstrate, encourage, move around the room.

Trait 6: Positive Professional Attitude - Good teachers keep personal problems, ego, fatigue and disappointment out of the dance classroom.

Trait 7: Willingness to view and learn new forms - Take time to seek out dance skills and knowledge you lack, be captivated by diversity and innovation.

Deep Dive: Take stock of yourself

Are you ready to actually be a dance teacher? What are your personal traits and abilities?

• Are you truly a skilled technical dancer?
• Are you really an artist?
• Do you know and understand dance/theatrical terminology?
• Are you a skilled performer?
• Are you a skilled choreographer?
• Do you/will you actually prepare a lesson plan for your classes?
• Do you embrace diversity?
• Do you take classes and keep up to date with new styles?
• Do you wish to nurture students?

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