Hi there, Miss Alison here, to tell you all about our Student Teacher Education Program (STEP).

We have had an official STEP Program at Snap for over 5 years now. After completing our ADAPT Teacher Training, Miss Courtney and I wanted to create a program with the goal of offering our dancers the tools and mentorship to help them grow into successful dance teachers (if that’s a path they choose), and successful people (no matter where their lives take them) through leadership opportunities at the studio.

Eligible dancers must complete the program application over the summer and are then placed in a weekly class where they lead warm ups, demonstrate steps and choreography and assist wherever they are needed. Student Teachers also have the opportunity to take the lead in their classes, with optional assignments, where they can teach exercises and combos, as well as, at the end of the year, take everything they have learned and teach an entire class themselves. Finally, our STEP Teachers are a huge help at a number of studio events throughout the year.

Student Teachers receive a free workshop in September where they learn about leadership skills and qualities, learning styles and personality types and dance teacher tips and tricks to help them be successful in their classes. They receive feedback twice a year from their teacher and myself and have an online forum where they can share experiences and ask questions among their peers.

I asked long-time Student Teacher, Jillian S. to contribute her thoughts:

The program gives me hands-on teaching experience, and allows me to learn what strategies work with different types of personalities and learners, as every dancer is different. Getting to interact and build meaningful relationships with so many young dancers is a definite highlight of the program for me.

Twice a year, I’m given a report card of sorts from the teacher I assist. The feedback I receive is always positive yet constructive, and gives me something to work towards. This element of the program, I think, has been the most beneficial. I get an outside opinion on my teaching techniques from an experienced individual. They never hold back on their thoughts, and I think that has allowed me to progress quicker and discover more about myself and my personal teaching style.

I hold the STEP program near and dear to my heart, as it was a similar program when I was growing up that first introduced me to teaching. As an incredibly shy teenager, it allowed me to ‘find my teacher voice’ (if you will) and sparked my interest in working with kids and leading a classroom. Over the years, I have seen how it has had a positive impact on our students, and it thrills me to see a once quiet and intimidated 1st year STEP student at the front of the class leading with confidence. Here is what Jillian added:

Around the time I joined the STEP program, if you were to see me around the studio, you would never guess that I was a teacher. I was eleven years old, very introverted, and very insecure. However, I joined the program anyways, because I wanted to be just like the older girls who taught me. Like most young dancers, I practically worshipped the seniors at the studio. Back then, I just saw STEP as a way to follow in their footsteps, but it has since come to mean much more to me. Through the Student Teacher Program, I’ve not only learned the skills necessary to become a successful leader and role model, but I’ve become a more confident individual.

Our Student Teachers truly are leaders and mentors at the studio and it is amazing to see them creating meaningful relationships with younger students. When the time comes for them to leave us, it warms my heart to watch them grow into successful young adults, who credit the program for helping guide them in their life’s path:

The program has led me to consider teaching as a career option. I have realized how much I love getting to share my passion with others, and value the opportunity to leave a positive impact on someone’s life. I also have found a love of choreography and feel very lucky to have the chance to experiment with choreo at such a young age. In the long run this gives me more time to develop my own style and perfect my approach. My dream is to continue to do just that, and I can’t think of a better way to prepare myself than to participate in the STEP.

The STEP Program one piece of our overall programming and the community we continue to grow and build, as we strive to create not only great dancers, but more importantly, great people, who will contribute and make a difference in our world.