Student Teacher Program

The Student Teacher Program provides opportunities to students who are interested in taking a leadership role in the studio by assisting with lower level classes. Teaching assistant roles are available to students who: 

  • Express interest in becoming a student teacher

  • Have very good attendance and punctuality in their own classes

  • Are respectful to teachers and classmates

  • Exhibit good behavior and follow the rules and guidelines of the studio

  • Have a love for dance, a desire to work hard and to grow as dancers and as individuals 

Benefits & Perks

The Student Teacher Program is a mentorship program that provides many benefits for the dancer. The time and effort a Student Teacher devotes to the studio will be invested back into them in various ways. These include:  

  • SOLO:  Student Teachers can earn a solo in their final performance with the studio.  Our studio rewards a dancer who has contributed to the studio by being a Student Teacher for multiple years with a solo.  Each solo is an original piece customized to the dancer’s strengths and abilities, created by one of the studio’s choreographers.  For dancers who were Student Teachers for a minimal amount of time, a solo part in one of their group/class dances will be offered in lieu of a full solo.

  • Community Service:  Student teachers can use the hours they spend assisting with classes as community service or volunteer hours. 

  • Letters of Recommendation & References:  Student Teachers can request letters of recommendation for college applications, specialized academic programs, job applications, internships, dance programs, etc.  Student Teaching experience can be listed on resumes and the teaching staff can be used as references.   

  • Become a Teacher:  Most dance instructors started as student teachers. Student teaching offers training and experience that prepares a dancer to become an instructor.  Our teaching staff is comprised of many former Student Teachers.  

  • Character Building: The Student Teacher Program helps dancers develop confidence and self-esteem.  The dancers are encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone, to evolve, and to challenge themselves while being supported by the teaching staff.  The skills acquired as a Student Teacher prepare the student for responsibilities beyond the studio. These dancers grow as individuals, learning accountability, communication, and leadership skills that translate to many other areas of their lives.  

  • Extra Training & Classwork: Student Teachers work on their technique, strength and skill while assisting with classes, which helps them become better dancers.     

Expectations & Requirements 

Student Teachers are expected to:    

  • Have very good attendance in their own classes throughout the year 

  • Make the dance studio a priority by limiting activities that directly conflict with their ability to attend their classes or teaching assignments regularly 

  • Be accountable by notifying teachers in advance when they will miss their own class or a class they are assigned to help with, and by writing it on the community calendar 

  • Notify a teacher immediately if they cannot be at class that day due to illness or another urgent matter or if running late 

  • Be present on the dance floor, actively participating and fully engaged in classes they are assisting with 

  • Keep cell phones out of sight during class

  • Assist with Summer Dance classes, as available 

  • Model good behavior and proper dance studio etiquette 

  • Be appropriately dressed according to dress code requirements at all times 

  • Avoid gossip and encourage others to avoid gossip 

  • Be kind, courteous, and respectful to teachers, classmates and younger students 

  • Have a positive attitude 

In addition, Advanced Level Student Teachers are expected to: 

  • Make up all missed classes without being asked or reminded to do so 

  • Communicate personally and directly with Bethany and the other teachers regarding missing classes and schedule conflicts 

  • Help guide and mentor younger Student Teachers

 Being a Student Teacher is completely voluntary.  Students are not required or expected to participate in the program.  As a general rule, student teachers who want to earn a solo will help with multiple classes weekly on a regular basis for multiple years.

If a student is not sure they can meet the expectations of the program we can have a discussion on whether or not the program is a good fit.  This can be a conversation that is revisited through the years if things change with a dancer or his/her compatibility.  Students Teachers and their parents are asked to review the expectations and agree to them in order to participate in the program.