Philosophy Of Dance Education

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Over the years, I have outlined three principal elements of teaching can be defined by the acronym ARC (Accountability, Relationships, Communication). Core concepts have been adapted for the dance educator, although the I originally worked as a Technology Instructor. Accountability A principal aspect of any teacher/student relationship is accountability. In order to avoid the punitive associations with this word, I define “accountability” as a commitment that has been or will be fulfilled. Each person should be reliable, dependable, consistent, and must be able to handle the repercussions of their actions. 1) Promptness A dependable instructor promptly begins the lesson. Arriving on time conveys the message that the teacher values the student’s…show more content…
A person randomly walking into a studio should be able to identify the teacher. The choice of clothing and footwear is a key factor. Teachers should avoid wearing workout, tattered, or stained clothing. Moreover, the footwear needs to be appropriate as well. Sneakers, unless they are dancing sneakers, are not acceptable. Finally, an instructor’s hair should be neatly combed and/or styled. Dressing professionally displays respect for the student and the willingness to put forth additional effort. Furthermore, other people in the studio will take notice as well, possibly leading to new clientele. Personally, I believe that the student should also follow the above suggestions. While the teacher cannot tell the student what to wear, they can politely suggest some options. Relationships Accountability builds a long-lasting and fruitful relationship. As both parties know, the teacher/student relationship is a bilateral agreement that either party can terminate at any time. Successful relationships require diligence and continual effort to maintain. This involves trust and responsibility built by reliability, which is strengthened by caring. 1)…show more content…
The most difficult discussion is about finances. I will emphasize that this is a very delicate topic for both teacher and student. The biggest mistake is to assume anything about the other person’s financial situation. As a teacher, suppose, you are receiving a specific payment but are aware that the other instructor normally charges 2X, how can you possibly know what your student is paying to this other teacher? Furthermore, we usually do not know private information such as salaries or the amount of funds available for lessons after the primary bills(i.e. rent, food, utilities) are paid. As a student, the question is how much of your financial situation should you expose to your instructor. I think this comes back to the trust in the relationship. If this is someone you feel comfortable with, then express as clearly as you can why more funds are not

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