Teaching assistants are very impotent to SDC. They represent the studio not only as dancers, but also as part of our staff. TA’s are given a great deal of responsibility throughout the year and they become a fundamental part of the class for both the students and teachers. 

Each year, TA’s will submit an application and be selected based on qualities necessary to be a successful teaching assistant. They must have the maturity and disposition to deal with children in a busy dance class. They must have reached an acceptable level of efficiency in their own dance training as well. An important piece of dance education is imitation, therefore, SDC TAs must be dancers who we would like our students to emulate. They must be good role models.

Teaching Assistant Responsibilities:

1. A commitment to participate in the program throughout the dance year (June-May)

2. You must arrive to your scheduled class at least 5 or 10 min. prior to the start of class. You will assist in class set-up such as, putting out rug squares (for younger students), mats, stretching with students or lining them up at the barre. After class you will need to help with putting away props, mats, etc. over seeing children as they get to their parents.

3. You must wear proper dance clothes. Assistants do not have to wear a certain color but they must dress appropriately in dance attire. No street clothes, shorts, sweatpants (except HH). They must have the right shoes for the technique they are teaching. Hair must be up for ballet and pulled back for other classes. (Role Model)

4. During the class, take your cue from the teacher. Over time, you will be asked to take on as much responsibility as you are comfortable with. Initially, you will need to set the children at the barre or in lines, help with corrections and remind them to listen. Younger dancers will need help using the bathroom. You might be asked to help them and get them right back into the classroom. Be sure they wash their hands (you may want to as well). You will need to help them change their shoes. Eventually you may be asked to teach sessions of the class on your own or to fill in if the teacher is pulled away momentarily or if she needs time to work with a student individually.

5.  You should be able to correct or encourage them using their name, but NEVER in a negative tone.

6. You are not responsible for speaking to their parents with any questions they may have about their child’s ability or progress in the class. These types of questions should be directed to the teacher or Ms. Tabatha.

7. TAs will need to help with choreography. They will need to know their classes’ choreography by heart. They will need to assist with rehearsal for any performances. The day of the performance they will need to help line dancers up in the wings and "mark" the dance with kids perform. TAs must be prepared to retain a great deal of choreography.

8. Attendance is an essential part of the program. If you must miss a class that you are scheduled to assist; you must notify the teacher and Ms. Tabatha in advance. Excessive absenteeism will result in dismissal from the program. Students and teacher rely on TAs and therefore good attendance is a must.

9. TAs should love being with kids and must love dance. It has been our experience that children love teaching assistants and lookup to them with admiration.