Taletha's WCS Teacher Training Course
Photo courtesy of Carl Lind
After teaching multiple instructor training courses over the years in various styles of partner dance I have finally had the pleasure to organize one specific to the WC Swing Community at large. I have been teaching for 16 years and I still love my job. I love teaching teachers how to teach and I would love to share my passion and what I know to help give you the tools to help you grow your communities. So often, people start teaching in their communities out of necessity ( i.e. they are the best dancers in their community and they want it to grow) or because they excel in competitions( i.e they become national champions and are asked to teach even though they have little to no experience). I am not of the mindset that you have to reach a certain level or gain a certain number of WSDC points to start teaching. Some of the best dancers are the worst teachers, as many of you have probably experienced. I believe that teaching is a skill and the only way to really get better at it is to do it, and training is an essential ingredient. It can give you the confidence you need sooner rather than later. When I started teaching I was one step ahead of my students in the syllabus and would often have to run back to the teachers lounge and ask another teacher what the next move was that I should teach. This is not the most comfortable way to teach. So if you are interested in getting better acquainted with skills that make a great teacher or if you are interested in hosting the intensive at your local studio or event please shoot me a message.
What to Expect:
This course is a fast paced and extremely detailed analysis of WC Swing and the ins and outs of teaching. You will learn the technical elements of the dance, how to apply these elements to your own dancing, and how to break them down as both a leader and a follower in a group class and/or private lesson scenario. This is a hands on class. In my experience, the best way to learn how to do something, is to do it. Hence, there will be more focus on practice with feedback than on lecture.
Oral Presentations/Teaching Mocks: You will learn how to demonstrate figures, command the attention of a classroom, gain communication skills necessary for working with individuals, couples and different types of learners, and personality types. You will also learn how to present in both group class and private lesson scenarios, you will learn fun ways to break the ice, observational tools, motivational tools, how to design your own group class or workshop.
Timeliness: it is in your best interest to arrive on time as the course moves ahead very quickly
Curriculum Included:
Tuition:
Student and Previous Graduate Discounts Available-see below
$250 for 13 hours of training includes Teachers Guidebook
Saturday 7 hour Foundation & Private/Group Lesson Instruction Practicum
Sunday 6 hour Foundation & Private/Group Lesson Instruction Practicum and Fix Its
Deposit $125
Student & Previous Graduate Rate-1/2 Price $125/Course plus $20 Teacher's Manual printing fee
Deposit $75
Maximum number of attendees 20-not gender specific: all attendees will be expected to do both roles
It is preferred that attendees are familiar with the following basic steps as both a lead and follow: starter step, left side pass, right side pass, left side pass inside turn, sugar push, sugar tuck, whip
Testimonials:
If you teach dance or would like to teach dance you need to take the class. It's crammed full of useful tips and techniques to make you a better West Coast Swing teacher. I've attend several West Coast Swing intensives, but none were geared for teaching the dance like this one. I don't believe there is another teacher training course like this offered within a 1000 miles of Austin. Bravo Taletha for sharing your years of classroom experience with us!
I was feeling down and a little burnt out about teaching and even dance in general. After I went to Taletha's teacher training, I found the motivation I needed and the passion I had when I first started teaching. I don't leave that, but now I know how to focus it and use my knowledge and skills in the most beneficial way for my students.
What to Expect:
This course is a fast paced and extremely detailed analysis of WC Swing and the ins and outs of teaching. You will learn the technical elements of the dance, how to apply these elements to your own dancing, and how to break them down as both a leader and a follower in a group class and/or private lesson scenario. This is a hands on class. In my experience, the best way to learn how to do something, is to do it. Hence, there will be more focus on practice with feedback than on lecture.
Oral Presentations/Teaching Mocks: You will learn how to demonstrate figures, command the attention of a classroom, gain communication skills necessary for working with individuals, couples and different types of learners, and personality types. You will also learn how to present in both group class and private lesson scenarios, you will learn fun ways to break the ice, observational tools, motivational tools, how to design your own group class or workshop.
Timeliness: it is in your best interest to arrive on time as the course moves ahead very quickly
Curriculum Included:
- Professionalism and Politics
- Learning Styles and Personality Types
- Private Lesson Teaching Skills: How to start a lesson, Assessing the level of a new student, Creating an agenda on the fly, Finishing a lesson,
- Conflict Resolution: Common Challenges, Working with Couples
- Corrections: How to identify and fix common issues
- Teaching Tools: Cueing multiple ways, Ensuring Success, Sneaking in the Technique
- Group Class/Workshop Teaching Skills: How to Start, How to Create a Timeline, Warm-ups, Creating a Mood, Teaching Tools and Ensuring Success, Prioritizing, Classroom Management, Finishing a Class
- Practicum/Mocks: Individual, Couples, Warm-ups, Group Class, Fix its
Tuition:
Student and Previous Graduate Discounts Available-see below
$250 for 13 hours of training includes Teachers Guidebook
Saturday 7 hour Foundation & Private/Group Lesson Instruction Practicum
Sunday 6 hour Foundation & Private/Group Lesson Instruction Practicum and Fix Its
Deposit $125
Student & Previous Graduate Rate-1/2 Price $125/Course plus $20 Teacher's Manual printing fee
Deposit $75
Maximum number of attendees 20-not gender specific: all attendees will be expected to do both roles
It is preferred that attendees are familiar with the following basic steps as both a lead and follow: starter step, left side pass, right side pass, left side pass inside turn, sugar push, sugar tuck, whip
Testimonials:
If you teach dance or would like to teach dance you need to take the class. It's crammed full of useful tips and techniques to make you a better West Coast Swing teacher. I've attend several West Coast Swing intensives, but none were geared for teaching the dance like this one. I don't believe there is another teacher training course like this offered within a 1000 miles of Austin. Bravo Taletha for sharing your years of classroom experience with us!
I was feeling down and a little burnt out about teaching and even dance in general. After I went to Taletha's teacher training, I found the motivation I needed and the passion I had when I first started teaching. I don't leave that, but now I know how to focus it and use my knowledge and skills in the most beneficial way for my students.
