Photo from Dance Teacher Finder Some people are born leaders, while others must learn how to pass their knowledge on to others. Whether you believe it not, teaching is a hard profession. It is a huge commitment and the fate of a teacher's students are in his or her hands at all times. Teaching any subject- especially dance- can be hard at times. It can also be a challenge for students to find the right teacher for them. Some teachers work well with one kind of student, while others struggle under his or her leadership. Teachers set the precedent for what their classrooms will be like through their approaches to teaching: they will either be teacher-centered, or student-centered.
Teacher-centered teachers enter a classroom with one pre-set method of teaching and their own interest in mind. Teacher-centered teachers are going to teach one way and one way only...and they expected their students to either learn from it or fail and find someone else to teach them. Teacher-centered learners are very interested into molding their students into what they want them to be and have them learn from their teaching style. In the dance world, the tell tales sign of these kinds of teachers are ones who only teach choreography one way, teachers who are more interested as using their students as a platform to showcase their own work, rather than give students choreography in which they can learn and grow from, and teachers who are more interested in getting their own names out there, rather than promoting their students. Student-centered teachers are teachers who are first and foremost interested in their students' growth and learning. Student-centered teachers don't know exactly how their classrooms will be until they enter them...they will adapt their teaching methods and classroom structure to what the students need. Student-centered dance teachers will help all students learn choreography. For example, teaching choreography can be adapted to the three main learning styles. Visual learners will want to see choreography done by someone else so they can copy the movements they see. Auditory learners will benefit from hearing the sequence of steps and/or counts and repeating them either out loud or mentally to then execute the movements. Kinesthetic learners will need to practice the choreography over and over again to get it into their muscle memories. Some choreographers are willing to teach in different ways, while others will teach it one way and expect students to rewire their brains in order to learn. Lastly, student-centered teachers are more interested in their students' success than their own. This is very prominent outside of the four walls of a dance studio. For example, if a student gets the opportunity to dance for a professional company, go to an elite training program, or have any other opportunity to further his or her dance education, a student-centered dance teacher will not feel betrayed that the student is seeking an opportunity that is not from said teacher...the teacher will be happy that the student will have the chance to grow and learn in a new way. While some students have found success in teacher-centered classrooms, it is hard to guarantee that self-centered teachers will truly be the best fit for a student. Student-centered teachers will not be perfect, but they can be trusted because you know that they always have their students' best interest at heart. For dance teachers, it is important to realize why you are teaching dance in the first place: do you want to watch your students succeed, or are you just interested in making a name for yourself? For dancers/parents of dancers, it is important to look for qualities in a dance teacher that prove to you that the teacher's priorities are in fact their students. When looking for a teacher, don't focus on how many trophies they have won or how many shows they've danced in...look for the time, attention, and love that the students have received from their teacher. They may not always get it right, but they will do their best to help their students succeed and help preserve their love of dance. And that is what matters. I would like to thank all of the student-centered teachers I have had in my life (both dance and other subjects). You have truly made a difference.
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AuthorWelcome to my blog! Popular PostsArchives
September 2020
Offline Updates7/16 Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the showcase I was selected to choreograph for at NYU was unfortunately cancelled. However, I was able to turn my work into a mini-documentary about the choreographic process and art prevailing during these trying times. You can watch my video my clicking the button below!
9/18 Follow my new Instagram just for my dance things!
12/23 I was one of NDEO's Guest Bloggers this year! Read "Teaching is a Vocation. Not a Fallback" on their Behind the Curtain Blog!
9/27 I will be presenting my research at the National Dance Education Organization National Conference next week! See my research project by clicking the button below!
4/15 While working on PMA's production of The Addams Family, I got to combine my two favorite styles of dance (ballet and musical theatre) for "The Moon and Me"! Watch my talented students dance by clicking the button below!
2/20 I am choreographing PMA Theatre Guild's Production of The Addams Family! Come see these amazing high school students perform at Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen, MA April 13 & 14! Tickets available at the door.
2/20 I am stage managing BSU's Dance Kaleidoscope this year! Show dates are March 29-31 at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. Come see this student choreography showcase!
11/5 I will once again be dancing in a BSUDC concert! Tickets to WinterDance are now available!
8/24 NDEO's National Honor Society for Dance Arts has published one of my articles in their newsletter! Read an updated version of "Audition Advice" here:
5/16 Interested in learning about movement concepts? Visit Becca's new Educational Dance website!
5/8 BSU Dance Company's Dance Kaleidoscope 2017 is now on Youtube! You can watch my performances by visiting the VIDEOS page!
4/23 I recently performed for the residents of Allerton House in Hingham, MA! You can watch part of my performance here!
Amesbury Children's Theatre presents...James and the Giant Peach Jr, featuring choreography by me! Click for tickets!
2/8 My piece "Barefoot" is now available to watch online! Click to watch!
2/5 Happy to say I have been cast in BSU Dance Company's Spring concert Dance Kaleidoscope! I will be dancing in 3 faculty choreographed pieces, including excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty in which I will be dancing the role of Lilac Fairy! Show dates are March 31-April 1 at Bridgewater State University.
Click the button for more info! 1/15 Ballet with Becca is now on Facebook! Click to visit the page, and be sure to like it while you're there!
1/14 I am happy to say I will be attending artEmotion's summer intensive in June! I will be dancing in the one week artEmotion Adult Program. If anyone would like to join or audition for any other artEmotion program, visit their website!
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