Oct. 2, 2001, 5:21 p.m. (Message 27663, in reply to message 27650)
Marie, I'm not sure what you mean when you mention "teacher coordinators," but here are some responses to your questions. > 1. What does your RSCDS Branch and RSCDS affiliate clubs do to > encourage and support prelim and full certificate teachers from > their own clubs? Our branch subsidizes the cost of attending teacher training/certification workshops whenever possible. The board also supports teachers by assigning other people to do some of the logistical/maintenance tasks that often fall to teachers in other groups, such as: booking space, unlocking & locking up the space, cleaning up, etc. Although our teachers are not paid, the branch does reimburse us (up to a set amount each year) for expenses such as dance books we may purchase. The branch purchases music recordings for us to use (although some of the teachers in the group purchase their own); the branch has a huge collection of LPs and CDs and also provides the equipment to play them. > > 2. What! IF ANY ! qualifications should a RSCDS teacher coordinator > of a RSCDS Branch have? Not sure what you mean by a teacher coordinator. Do you mean a teacher who is coordinating a class? In order to run a class I think the most important qualifications are: 1) Dancing proficiency 2) Ability to clearly break down and explain steps and figures 3) Ability maintain the social nature of the activity while still actually teaching stuff (i.e. keep things fun, while at the same time educational) 4) Ability to convey the joy of dance 5) People skills -- tact, diplomacy, leadership, etc. 6) Flexibility/Adaptability 7) At least a minimal sense of humor > > 3. Prelim and Certificate teachers, [ new or seasoned] what has been > YOUR experience for support and encouragement.? As a newly certified teacher (August 2000) I have been fortunate to receive a lot of support the people in our dance group, on many levels. In addition to the things listed above under question #1, I have also received a lot of encouragement and positive feedback from the dancers. That's really what makes it worthwhile. > 5. What is the procedure in your area for RSCDS teacher > coordinators and RSCDS teachers?. e.g.: do you rotate or do the same > people stay at the helm. In our branch, there are about 6 or 7 teachers (not all of whom are always active in a given year). We usually switch off teaching duties, each teacher taking about a 6-8 week long series of classes before another teacher takes over. Since there is basically only one class in our area, no one wants to teach all the time (as you don't get to dance much while you are teaching), so we don't mind switching off. Hope this helps. Regards, Lara Friedman-Shedlov Minneapolis, MN USA ******************************* Lara Friedman-Shedlov xxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx *******************************