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Lara D. Friedman~Shedlov

Lara D. Friedman~Shedlov

Re: RSCDS "Teacher Support"

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



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Lara Friedman-Shedlov     
xxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx
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