Student Assistants

This program is designed to provide students at the Intermediate Foundation level - Advanced levels the opportunity to learn about becoming a dance teacher. The program provides a way for participating students to work with a lower level class under the guidance of an experienced teacher.

Eligibility:

1. Be 13years old and at an Intermediate Foundation level.

2. Be responsible and understand that they are committing to a specific number of hours of assisting each week and will be expected to fulfill those hours and all the conditions of participation.

3. Must follow all of the rules of Coastal Dance and set a positive example at all times in both behavior and dress.

Conditions of participation:

1. Once a student agrees to act as an assistant for a particular class, the student will remain with that class until the instructor feels it is time to switch classes. Students who need to drop out of the program must advise the Director with significant notice so that a replacement may be found.

Dress Code:

Student teachers are role models. When assisting in classes students must follow the school dress code. A skirt may be worn during assisting times (available at the school). A plain tight sweater may be worn in the winter months. Hair must be worn in a bun for assisting ballet classes and a ponytail for all other styles.

Responsibilities: Assistants must

1. arrive 10 minutes before their class to help students before entering.

2. always have a positive attitude and smile on their face

3. know the childrens' names

4. keep dancer's posture and look interested –never lean against the barre or stare into the mirrors. Little eyes are always watching... be a good role model.

5. help the teacher get the students into the class and sitting cross legged in a small circle in the sharing area.

6. always be placed across the circle from the teacher

7. should help calm any students who are nervous

8. keep the focus on the teacher and class. No chit chat with the students once class has begun

9. when facing the mirror or front of room assistants should stand up front, facing the same way as the teacher. Assistants should finish the exercise with the students so that the teacher may concentrate on giving corrections.

10. be at the opposite side of the room from the teacher during across the floor exercise. Assistants should make sure students remain quiet, lined up and ready for their turn.

11. always do the exercise with the students unless otherwise asked by the teacher during creative exercises

12. be responsible for taking children to and from the washroom.

13. assistants must help with entering and leaving. While the teacher lines the class up to leave, the assistant lines up the next class outside the door. The assistant will then lead the next class in and then lead the existing class out to their parents. Make sure each child is safely with their guardians.

Absences: Assistants who need to miss a class are responsible for informing the teacher. It is the assistants responsibility to find a replacement for that class (a list of the assistants will be provided)