Now that you hired your dance teacher, it is time to plan teacher training session(s). Pick a date a few weeks out and/or plan a training at the beginning of the year and again mid-season for all teachers. I recommend allowing at least 1-1.5 hours for each age division and style.
Once you have the training date and schedule set, communicate the mandatory training to your teaching staff. If your employees are required to be there you should pay a training rate for their training hours. If you can, provide lunch or dinner as well.
To prepare for the teacher training, download and print out all materials ahead of time. If you are using Twinkle Star Dance, show the teachers how to access the curriculum lesson plans and video gallery for review. Be sure to also show how to access music playlists.
Sample Training Session Schedule Day 1
9am - 10am - Twinkle Babies ages 2-3
10am - 11am - Twinkle Stars ages 3-4
11am - 12pm - Twinkle Stars ages 4-5 and 5-6
12pm - 12:30pm - Lunch
12:30pm - 1:30pm - Showstars Jazz ages 5-7/6-8 and 7-9/8-10
1:30pm - 2:30pm - Showstars Ballet ages 5-7/6-8 and 7-9/8-10
2:30pm - 3:30pm - Showstars Hip-Hop ages 5-7/6-8 and 7-9/8-10
3:30pm - 4:30pm - Showstars Tap ages 5-7/6-8 and 7-9/8-10
Sample Training Session Schedule Day 2
10am - 10:30am - Mock Twinkle Babies ages 2-3
10:30 - 11:15am - Mock Twinkle Stars ages 3-4
11:15 - 12:00pm - Mock Twinkle Stars ages 4-5
12pm - 12:30pm - Lunch
12:30pm - 1:30pm - Twinkle Babies/Stars Teaching Methods
1:30pm - 2:30pm - Showstars Teaching Methods
In addition to the class curriculum you need to prepare the following for each teacher:
Monthly Lesson Plans
Passport Books/Dance Journals
Teaching Methods
Music Playlists
Email the link and password to Twinkle Star Dance instructor user to each teacher ahead of training session for reference before and after sessions.
Some additional teacher training tips to keep in mind:
All teachers attend all training sessions!
Everyone dances - using actual energy and movement
No sitting and talking through notes!
Model voice and energy levels that you want dance teachers to use in class
Let dance teachers trade off leading class content and give feedback
Check back next week for Part 2: Training the Super Teacher. Learn more about Twinkle Star Dance and get your “Super Teachers” certified at Spark Chicago.
Meet Tiffany Henderson
Tiffany Henderson is an industry leader and dance business expert. Tiffany owns and operates multiple Tiffany's Dance Academy locations in Northern California. Her video-based teacher training system and curriculum, Twinkle Star Dance, is currently implemented in 300+ dance studios worldwide.