Image
Do you look and behave like a teacher?Understand that your image is more than just your physical appearance; it is how you behave as well. Dressing appropriately is a crucial part of being a professional in the working industry. Don’t be afraid to stand out with your own personal style, but keep it within the style of dance or class that you are teaching
Reliability
Being a reliable teacher is crucial for your image, your commercial value, and professionalism overall. By being trustworthy and keeping deadlines, you become an important asset to your studio and the whole staff you are involved with. The simplest things such as answering emails regularly, arriving on time and finishing your choreography by predetermined deadlines helps show you are a reliable member of the team. Communicate if you cannot make deadlines. Send the music in for a substitute teacher, provide them with a lesson plan/class outline and have music in on time for recital/events. Being reliable is also being able to deliver on the core topics of your class through thinking about curriculum choices. It is not enough to be a good dancer to be a good teacher these skills are independent of each other. Getting the right training and working on your teaching craft will aid you in finding the didactic skills to teach your class.
Personal Life vs Working Professional
Sometimes it is hard to check your personal life at the door before entering the work place, but in the career of dance teaching you are in a position of authority over minors and there is an expectation of etiquette that goes along with this leadership role. It is important to differentiate what is appropriate to show and share with your students and what is not. If a past story in your life can help your students understand the objective of what you are bringing to the classroom and it is age appropriate to share then that would be considered acceptable. Anything involving your current personal life that involves gossip, drama or material that is not age appropriate is a distraction for the students and unprofessional. Students are not your friends. When in a position of authority there should be respect for the student-teacher relationship and the professionalism required to maintain that standard.
Age Appropriate Content
Is the subject matter (theme or topic) for your selected dance appropriate for the age and background of the dancer(s)?
Is the skill level of the choreography developmentally appropriate for the age and training level of the dancer - or is it too difficult? Consider the age and development as well as family views of your dancer when considering choreographic choices and costume selection. Take time to look up the lyrics of the songs you are using for choreography are they age appropriate? Culturally appropriate?
If you allow dancers to follow you on social media, is your content age appropriate? Consider having a separate dance teaching account.
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