Wow, has it been forever and a day since I have been here. I've been through alot (some good, most bad LOL) and am *more* than happy to be able to come back here!!

I'm currently applying for a position as a dance teacher again in a few studios (moved away for a bit, now returning home..fresh start much? Lol). One of the studios I have applied with, I have been offered a position..however, I am not sure I want to take it.

Problem: I have taught in studios, with serious dancers, for *forever* and this position is recreational teaching, with students taking dance "for fun."

I'm coming to you all for advice on how to make the transition from a studio teacher 5 days a week, to a recreational teacher one day a week....and also if it is a good idea to attempt to be a recreational teacher if my entire background, both training and teaching, has been in the studio.

Miss all of you dearly and I promise to come around more often!! Lol. <3 Thanks in advanced guys....it is appreciated more than you know.

As far as transitioning from a "studio" to a recreational facility (to separate the terms) the difference is basically the number of hours that you teach per week, the amount of rules that you enforce and the technical goals you set for the kids.

It is still good to have the training to work with a "studio" even if you are not working with kids that have the same pre-professional goals. Honestly I find that being from a studio/company teaching background myself and then moving to a more recreational setting I see more improvements with the kids which pleases the parents and ultimately brings in more students.

As far as what you will have to get used to working for recreational students you might have to remind yourself that some will just not get it right away and might not get it at all. For example, one of my younger students is here purely to have a good time and move around. She loves to dance but is not technically sound. No matter how hard I try to get her to do some things it just isn't happening for her, which is fine, so I encourage her to do her best and we go from there with no pressure. I am not giving up on her but I am not going to push her to the point where she feels like she can't do it I just encourage her to do her best.

I say go for it. Even when working at a studio the fact is that most of the money makers are the recreational kids who are here to have a good time first and then learn something second. The other kids who are taking class every day per week are just a plus, especially in this society.

I'm a little confused at studio vs. rec.

Is it at a rec center? Or is it a more rec approach within an actual dance studio? Do you mean recreational studio vs. pre-pro studio?

You can instill tech in ANY student regardless of whether they spend 20 hours a week in a studio or just 2.

At the moment, I teach through Parks & Rec. My kids do not attend more than 2-3 hours a week. They are quite technically sound for the amount of hours they spend.

They are all still having "fun". I'm not sure that recreational = free for all, but it doesn't for me.

Why do you feel that you have to abandon instilling tech in the new group? Have you seen the kids from this studio? Are they a mess? What is the quality of their training?

I have taught for a studio in the past who had students that were ill trained. That did not stop me from giving them tech when they began to take with me.

The only difference being is that you will see the fruits of your labor at a little slower pace since they are not living in the studio day and night.

If this studio's idea of "fun" is a free for all, I am not sure I could do it. If they don't care at all, it would make it philosophically out of alignment for me.

I come from a very intense pre pro background and I have taught at both competitive and recreational studios. I love my rec studio right now. The kids dance for the love of dance. And I personally believe in teaching students TO dance as opposed to teaching students A dance which is often the case when focusing on a competitive piece.
Frankly both situations have their challenges but I don't sacrifice tech and my classes are fun. You will always have neurotic parents, non committed kids and bosses that sometimes have opposing opinions. Just prepare to slow down your expectations but not lower them.

Thanks so much for the responses!!

What would be happening, if I took the job, would be that I would travel to a couple of elementary schools each week, teach for an hour or two, and that would be that for a period of seven weeks, before the next round began. The dilemma I hold is not whether to teach for fun or not, it's moreso the way the program is run. I'd basically be paying THEM to teach, after setting up costs and such on my own, to cover both gym space as well as their price. While that normally wouldn't be a big deal, there is the chance with this company that all available classes could be filled, and that they hire people with zero dance background at all to teach.

Think I will pass up this one-not because of the kids, but because of the way they run the program.

Thank you all so much for your input!! It is greatly appreciated. <3333

My experience with "rec" students is that a lot of times they are in class to be with their friends, so there is a much more relaxed environment. However, because I am a stickler for technique, I definitely teach them skills they need to know. Most kids respond, but, then again, some are still there only because of their friends and really don't care a scrap about dance. Just try to get them to have fun. Encourage a lot interest by varying your class each time. I have found that "rec" students think that they are doing it correctly and often don't want any more correction beyond a certain point. If they can get around a pirouette twice, they think that they have doubles. When I try to correct their technique on it though, they don't really fix it. This is not ALL of the kids, but most of them. The ones that really do take it seriously, usually end up joining a team that is more competitive.

But, like the OP said, there are great things about teaching rec students. I usually have more fun teaching them, because I am more relaxed - once I got used to the idea that they all werent as passionate about dance as me. But, we had a great time. There are great things about teaching pre-pro kids too, but it tends to be more stressful, I think.

Good luck and don't worry. Enjoy there fun attitude!

tappingangel wrote:

What would be happening, if I took the job, would be that I would travel to a couple of elementary schools each week, teach for an hour or two, and that would be that for a period of seven weeks, before the next round began. The dilemma I hold is not whether to teach for fun or not, it's moreso the way the program is run. I'd basically be paying THEM to teach, after setting up costs and such on my own, to cover both gym space as well as their price. While that normally wouldn't be a big deal, there is the chance with this company that all available classes could be filled, and that they hire people with zero dance background at all to teach.

Okay...ummm...no on many counts here.

Good that you passed it up.

Hope you find a good position soon!

Thanks guys!!! I agree with the no on many counts. If it was recreational and a reliable program it would be different. Next offer for a stable rec program though I'll be all over it. =] Thanks again!! <3

i_am_me wrote:

tappingangel wrote:

What would be happening, if I took the job, would be that I would travel to a couple of elementary schools each week, teach for an hour or two, and that would be that for a period of seven weeks, before the next round began. The dilemma I hold is not whether to teach for fun or not, it's moreso the way the program is run. I'd basically be paying THEM to teach, after setting up costs and such on my own, to cover both gym space as well as their price. While that normally wouldn't be a big deal, there is the chance with this company that all available classes could be filled, and that they hire people with zero dance background at all to teach.

Okay...ummm...no on many counts here.

Good that you passed it up.

Hope you find a good position soon!

Yeah,
I'm out. I would have passed this up too. I love my job but this sounds like you would be setting yourself up for failure.

OkinawaDancing wrote:

Yeah, I'm out.

hehehe!

Totally a limit on "recreational".

^^lol

Hey I love what I do even when the results are a kid with horrible technique having a great time or a dancer who has won a gold metal because she has been dancing her butt off. .. . . . .

BUT

when I have to start paying out more than I am making yeah. There are too many other job options.

Hi. I'm new on here and have just opened up a little dance studio in a scout hall. I only teach 2-3 hours a week and although I have a RAD, competition professional background, I'm trying to teach in a relaxed, fun way but the kids are starting to walk all over me! They are all friends and sometimes they spend quiet alot of class time talking and mucking about. It's hard to find a balance sometimes.

dancingness wrote:

I'm trying to teach in a relaxed, fun way but the kids are starting to walk all over me! They are all friends and sometimes they spend quiet alot of class time talking and mucking about. It's hard to find a balance sometimes.

I'm certain most, if not all of us would agree that we want our students to be happy. I've seen many teachers confuse out of control students with happy students. It is crucial that you maintain some level of control over your class. I don't know how long you have been teaching, but generally balance comes with time. Like with parenting sometimes you have to learn to pick your battles. However, you can't just let them go all together. Maybe it's okay to let them talk a little in class, perhaps while stretching or doing other similar activities, but it is not okay for them to talk over you or be a distraction to your class.

When I was a young and rather inexperienced teacher I think I allowed students too much room to mess around, and I know there have been other times that I have been too strict. For the most part I have found they respond better to instructors who balance discipline with care. You must be in control and establish rules for them but also show that you care about them as individuals.

You probably know this, I just wanted to share what I have found.
Best of luck with your classes!

Thanks for the advice. I'm fairly new to teaching only been at it about 12 months but have a strong technical dance background in RAD ballet, tap, jazz, modern. I did competition work and started training when I was 6. I went to a very strict school and the classes I'm teaching are fairly easy going...no competitions or exams at this stage but the kids really are getting quite out of control. The babies are fine, it just the 6-8 year olds who are all friends from school and act like class is a party!! Last week I stopped the music and went and sat down and waited until I had their attention. Then asked one of the students to repeat the step I just did. She turned bright red and didn't know what to do. I told her that her Mum doesn't pay me for her to muck around and play. I will see how things go this week but it can be a real challenge sometimes. Thanks again for your tips!!