Careers with Leah Willis Dance Arts
Teaching and Sharing The Leah Willis Dance Arts Curriculum: a new, innovative way to share the artistry of dance with the intelligence of applied learning and blend those lines in a seamless way.
At LWDA, it is of the utmost importance that cohesion remains strong and firm. From dance terminology, to choreography, to our healthy meals, to performance time, ALL elements of our program must have a distinct throughline. It is imperative that our emerging students are able to make solid connections within the classroom, so that when they see those same facets in the outside world, they not only recognize them, but build upon their gained knowledge with real confidence, savvy and enthusiastic motivation. The sense of positive self-worth, sustained intelligence and artistic creativity we build in our youth is geared toward the generations to come. It is meant to be spread, passed down and shared. Here, it always begins with just one dancer willing to put in the work, and go the distance.
We blend academia with the dance world so that one side actually enhances the other side, and vice versa. Our curriculum is meant to highlight how the elements of each are shared.
DANCE CURRICULUM TEACHER ASSISTANT (Internship)
Reports to: Dance Curriculum Teacher (D.C.T.), Executive and Artistic Directors.
This position is an Unpaid Internship, with Credit received for Volunteer, Service Learning and/or College Credit Hours. Candidates who have already completed their schooling and/or Degree/Graduate Pursuits are also welcome to apply! With exemplary performance displayed in this position, however, it is sanctioned to translate directly into a paid employment position, with successful passing of the LWDA Internship Review. Hours are very flexible, and it offers a beneficial way to gain hands on experience with the skills needed to become a Dance Curriculum Teacher (D.C.T.) In this role, Assistant's are a D.C.T's second pair of eyes in the classroom. It is imperative that an efficient, safe and well rounded classroom functions properly every session. Dance experience is required, as well as legal clearance for working with children.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must have at minimum 3 years of experience working with children (preferably K-8/school-age). Minimum of 4-5 years of teaching/training in Dance. Desired styles: Tap, Hip Hop, Modern/Contemporary, Salsa and Ballet. Experience in Child Care, and/or Youth Recreational Instruction (Ex. Summer Camp), Volunteering with youth based organizations is a plus.
Duties:
- Turn on lights, safety check classroom before beginning class.
- Assist D.C.T. with taking attendance.
- Assist D.C.T. in class warm-up and learning material, teaching choreography and staging of performance pieces.
- Assist D.C.T. at rehearsals and performances backstage.
- Assist D.C.T. with correcting and grading assignments.
- Prepare snack/meals for break time during instruction.
- Keep physical endurance and training at an adequate level to successfully assist and/or demonstrate dance movement during each class.
- Remain knowledgeable in and capable of handling behavior and discipline issues of school-aged children.
- Travel with D.C.T. and supervise students on Field Trips.
- Be a professional, courteous, flexible and accountable role model for all students.
- Provide a safe, disciplined and encouraging atmosphere for each class.
- Do not bring personal, emotional issues into the classroom.
- MUST log Intern time sheet and maintain accurate record of work hours.
- Must Pass Background Screening.
Classroom Coordinator (Internship)
Reports to: Dance Curriculum Teacher (D.C.T.), Executive and Artistic Directors.
Experience:
Must Have 2-5 years of experience working with children (preferably grade school age) and 1-2 years of experience Volunteering. Previous Teaching/Volunteering in the Arts, Child Care, and/or Recreational Instruction (Ex. Summer Camp) positions are highly recommended and encouraged.
Duties: (Some are not listed here but are included in the Intern Handbook)
- Be on time to each class volunteered for.
- Report to Dance Curriculum Teacher and log Internship hours accurately.
- Monitor hallways, pathways, entrances and exits, students and adults who enter and exit the classroom to ensure classroom safety.
- Take attendance.
- Keep student medical records and database updated.
- Operate Sound System.
- Prepare snack/meals for break time during instruction.
- Help Assist with distribution and collection of parent notices, student materials as well as promotional, news and marketing materials in a timely manner.
- Prepare and distribute Tuition Due notices on time.
- Give parents ACCURATE receipts for their records.
- Assist Instructors with disbursing and monitoring costumes, music, props etc.
- Assist with communications to parents regarding pertinent program issues and updates.
- Help clean the Dance Room and put it back in order before leaving.
- Assist teachers, artists, staff, students, parents and guests at events and field trips professionally and courteously.
- Trained, certified and prepared in CPR and/or First Aid is preferred.
- Must Pass Background Screening.
DANCE CURRICULUM TEACHER
Reports to: Executive and Artistic Directors.
At LWDA, our teachers are called Dance Curriculum Teachers. Why, you ask? The reason is because our teachers do not simply teach dance steps. Each D.C.T. prepares lesson plans based on our curriculum. LWDA adheres to each facility's compliance measures, yet we satisfy Content Standards for Performing Arts and Physical Education according to state, as well as our specifications. D.C.T.'s must relate dance choreography and lessons to fit the mindset and learning aptitude of the age/grade of each student. With this in mind, we have a mandatory certification process that our D.C.T.'s must go through, in order to be placed at an LWDA Program Site. Candidates must submit qualifications (Resume/Reel) and successfully pass a first and second interview with the CEO before certification can begin.
Duties:
- Prepare seasonal lesson plans (3 month seasons) concurrent with the State Content Standards for Performing Arts and Physical Education, for the appropriate age level.
- Arrive 30 Minutes Prior to class. Prepare the Dance Space, safety check classroom before beginning.
- Begin classes on time, end classes on time.
- Acquire an adequate substitute in any absence due to illness, family emergency etc., at least 24-48 hours beforehand. NO EXEPTIONS.
- Provide a safe, disciplined and encouraging atmosphere for each class. Do not bring personal issues into the classroom.
- All choreography must be tasteful, age-appropriate and free of vulgarity AT ALL TIMES. No lewd, or inappropriately suggestive movement is allowed.
- Direct students in choreographic works for all lecture demonstrations.
- Prepare rehearsal schedules and direct performance rehearsals professionally and efficiently.
- Work professionally and responsibly with all guest choreographers, ensuring students are receiving material in line with current style and lesson plan being taught.
- Assure that all Performing Arts fieldtrip/Lecture Demonstration permission slips are signed and collected before the noted deadline.
- Be present at all performing arts field trips you have scheduled.
- Track student attendance at all classes, lecture demonstrations, and field trips.
- Be a professional, courteous, flexible and accountable role model for all students.
- Must pass background check, TB test and Fingerprinting.
- Keep physical endurance and training at an adequate level to successfully teach class.
- Notify parents and LWDA Administrative Staff of student enrollment changes, outstanding fees, missing information in a student's LWDA Database file or behavioral issues immediately as they are discovered.
- MUST log employee time sheet hours in LWDA Database ONLY during scheduled work hours.
LWDA D.C.T. Certification
LWDA D.C.T. Certification is a process that will take you through your own past dance experience, and allow you to apply it to our curriculum in your unique fashion. Here is what it consists of:
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LWDA Employment Application
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Dance Philosophy and Terminology Refresher Exam.
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Lesson Plan Submittal.
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Skype choreography conference.
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In-person company Training (Organization Handbook Given).
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Classroom training with students.
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Certified in LWDA Method of curriculum delivery.
A 30 question exam will be prepared for you to complete, necessitating knowledge of fundamental Ballet, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, West African and Salsa Dance Terminology and History. You will then be asked essay questions that will allow you to share your teaching philosophy, technical training, dance experience, as well as share how you would respond to various classroom situations. You'll be asked to share your experience regarding applied business insight within the dance industry, and encouraged to flourish with your talents and abilities as you responsibly manage your classroom. The exam is primarily multiple choice, but the essay questions do count toward your total score. You must score at least 85% to pass the exam. All of the other components listed above must also be completed in order to receive certification. The rate at which a D.C.T.
completes his or her certification depends on the drive, commitment and focus he or she has.
The Dance Philosophy and Terminology Refresher Exam consists of a one-time fee of $65.50 plus a Nonrefundable background check fee of $29.95 totaling only $95.45 An LWDA Curriculum Study Guide can be purchased for only $15.00.
What Will Having an LWDA D.C.T. Certification do for you?
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Attain recognition and preparation for expanding to different school districts to teach.
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Achieve A State Content Standards compliant dance teaching endorsement, to be used on future employment ventures.
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Give students and families an assertion of excellence and allow them to rest at ease, knowing the caliber of personnel teaching their child is up to par and beyond.
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Your clients (families) may refer/recommended you for future work outside of LWDA.
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The certification is a lifetime endorsement
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It will approve you to teach in any school that LWDA is sanctioned for.
