hi! I assitant teach 4-5 yr olds tap and ballet in my studio. There are a couple of girls in the class that will not behave! they dont pay attention and seem to break rules on purpose in order to get attention. i kno i have to correct them and tell htem to stop but i feel so uncomfortable talking to them because thier parents are watching through the window. i dont want them to think that i yell at thier kids but something has to be done, they distract the rest of the class. i really dont feel comfortable talking to thier parents because i'm only 16 and they probably wont take me too seriously.
i try to do what the teacher does and tell them to behave or threaten a time out but i dont feel like i have the same authority as the real teacher!

sorry if this is too long!


thanks!

*Jess

Hi Jess -
I believe that I would take up this concern with your teacher that you are assisting. I bet she/he will have some wonderful advice on how to handle the 'sticky' situations you have encountered in class.

I am a firm believer in respect. I always introduce my student assistants to the class as Miss ---- , no matter the age of the student teacher. I don't have to do much more than that to establish the roles of student vs student teacher. Once or twice (in 30 years of teaching) I have had a student that challenges the authority of the student teacher. I immediately sit the class down and explain my expectations of them in the classroom and the importance of respect towards ALL of their teachers.
We have a few observation days during the dance year and I take a few minutes before we begin our class to introduce my assistants to the parents, again using Miss ---- . Again, this just helps set roles for everyone.

If situations are occuring in your dance class that your lead teacher doesn't know about, it is up to you to bring it to his/her attention. Teachers want their assistants to be happy, comfortable with their roles and in a position to lead and learn.

Make sure you know what your lead teacher expects from you before you start assisting. I always meet with my student teachers and explain my philosophy of teaching and how and where they, as my assistant, fit into it. I also meet with my assitants towards the middle of the year to check in and see how things are going. It's hard to find time in or between classes to address any concerns so this seems to be a good way of touching base and making sure that we are both happy with how the class is running. Communication is a good thing!

Remember, you are doing more that just assisting with a class, you are learning the very precious skill of teaching.

Good luck!

thanks! i think i'll talk to my teacher about it!

*jess