Facebook points on professional issues of dance teaching!!

I have just been reading some posts on a dance teachers facebook group regarding dance teaching and professional practice. Three interesting points that were brought up were  -

1. other dance classes being brought into the venue you use
2. teachers working without qualifications from recognised dancing bodies
3. attend more than one dance school

How do people feel about these points??

1. I run my own classes from a local church hall. I would find it extremely unprofessional and rude for another teacher to set up that same classes as me in the same venue. I have heard of this happening more and more.

2. I think that it is ok for people to teach general 'dance' classes as long as they are free work classes or show classes without being linked to a dance organisation. However many people say they are qualified when this isn't the case....this can lead to uninsured teachers... students with injuries and parents confused about what good teaching practice is.

3. I have found over the years that if you attend one dance school then you shouldn't attend another and many teachers don't allow this!! I have taught many girls who have asked if they can attend another school on a Saturday as I don't run classes for them on this day and I always recommend good schools and say of course as long as they are honest about this then I am happy for them to attend other classes.

So please let me have your opinions on these issues/topics :)

Blogging

ARGH - I was finding the whole blogging thing difficult and now I have just read through a post that Paula has put up and think it will really help. As i'm teaching daytime and evenings (and running around after the kids) switching into blogging mode has been a difficult task so lets see how the theory of "getting into the zone" works for me :)

My CV explained!

After finishing school I started auditioning and performing for many different companies across the UK and worked as a dance/drama performer for several years. As we approached the 2006 and I knew I was getting married,buying a house, wanting to have a family etc I had to take the decision to change my career path slightly and move more into a teaching role. I had always taught when not performing but had never entered students for exams. After 4 years at dance college (teaching in the evenings and weekends) I set up my own company AM-PM Academy and a year later became a member of staff at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire. My teaching is currently split between these two jobs over 6 or 7 days per week depending on shows and exams etc. My teaching covers drama and most dance genres (except Latin and Ballroom unfortunately!)

An example of my CV

ANDREA MORRISON

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Preston Dance Academy (Preston College)

Professional Dancers & Teachers of Dance (Full Time Course 2005-2009)

• Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Foundation in Dance Instruction – Ballet/Modern/National/Tap
• Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Diploma in Dance Education – Ballet/Modern/National/Tap
• Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Advanced level of Ballet, Modern, Tap, National 
•  Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 1 Ballet

British Cheerleading Association/NCSSE

• Cheerleading coaching Levels 1, 2 and 3

ZUMBA

• Zumba Basics
• Zumba Kids
• 1 day courses per qualification 
• Monthly dvd editions to continue Zumba training

ARTS AWARD – Trinity College

• Arts Award Bronze, Silver and Gold assessor

Teaching experience

Stonyhurst College – Dance Teacher – 2010-Present

AM-PM Academy of Performing Arts - Head of School - 2009-Present

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Kirkham Knights Cheer Squad - Head Coach - 2009-2012

Freelance Dance and Drama Teacher – 2009-2013

KADRAG – Arts coordinator - 2008-2014

Carol May School of Dance and Performing Arts - Dance and Drama Teacher - 2006-2009

Dance Captain – Pele Productions Pantomimes (Understudy) 2006/2007/2008

Cinderella 2006/Jack and the Beanstalk 2007/Aladdin 2008

Camp America - Rocky Mountain Village - 2002/2003/2004

Impact On Learning - Workshop Leader and Actor - 2002 – 2005

Drama For Training – Workshop Facilitator/Actor – 2005

Say Two Theatre Company - Workshop Leader and Actor - 2000 – 2006

Say Two Youth Theatre - Dance and Drama Teacher - 2000 – 2006 

Waterfall Theatre Company – Actor and Workshop Leader – 2001

Back to work!

Been back at teaching for 2 days since half term and already I am overwhelmed with how much I need to fit into this term with both of my jobs, BAPP and family life!! Its a good job I LOVE keeping busy :)  Now I have managed to update my blog successfully it's time to do some real work and get my head around the Reader....

My lack of knowledge!

Hi everyone....so I currently have very limited knowledge of how to use blogs!! I am a complete newby and not even sure if I have set this up correctly but hey ho I guess that's the whole point of me doing it!!! I'm looking forward to Module 1 of BAPP and getting to know some fellow 'bloggers' :)