Assistant Teacher Award

The Assistant Teacher Award is aimed at 14–18-year-old dance students wishing to take their first steps towards a career in dance teaching.  The Award is open to students studying and taking classes in any dance genre, and provides opportunities to practice, develop and demonstrate a range of practical and professional skills required for successful dance teaching.

Grounded in practice-based (studio) learning, Assistant Teacher Award students will be guided every step of the way by Approved Tutors, all of whom having undergone a rigorous application process, will be trained in how the Assistant Teacher Award is delivered and assessed, and have attended compulsory Approved Tutor annual training and standardisation.

How to become an Approved Tutor

Experienced dance teachers of any dance genre wishing to become an Approved Tutor for the Assistant Teacher Award will need to submit an application form with accompanying documentation by the application deadline.  You will need to provide a reference from a referee who can comment on your teaching experience and appropriateness for the role.  If your application is successful, you will be required to attend a compulsory initial online Induction and Training. Download further information and guidance on becoming an Approved Tutor for the Assistant Teacher Award.

I am a student – How will the Assistant Teacher Award work for me?

If you are a dance student aged between 14-18*, and are thinking of dance teaching as a career, the Assistant Teacher Award is a brilliant step towards finding out what it’s like to be a dance teacher.

You will work with an experienced Approved Tutor who has the expertise to work with you as an Assistant Teacher.  Your Approved Tutor will provide you with studio-based opportunities where you will be able to demonstrate a range of professional and teaching competencies that might be expected of an Assistant Teacher.

Find out more about how to complete the Assistant Teacher Award and read about the structure and content of the Award.

*14 years is the minimum age.  While the focus of the programme is on 14-18 year olds, there is no upper age limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are interested in delivering the Assistant Teacher Award but still have questions and require more detailed information, we have created some Frequently Asked Questions about the Assistant Teacher Award and becoming an Approved Tutor.

Please also find the Presentation slides from the Q&A webinar from 21 March 2023.

Application pack and information for Approved Tutors

The Faculty of Education is now accepting applications for the Assistant Teacher Award. You can email your application and reference to teachertraining@radcanada.org or post to Membership Services, Royal Academy of Dance, Suite 601, 1210 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, ON  M2K 1E3.

Deadline for applications is 5pm (EST) on 2 April 2024.
Compulsory initial online Induction and Training on 30 May 2024. (Estimated 10-4pm (BST), but time zone to be confirmed once applications have been received.)

If you are having difficulty downloading the application form, then please contact teachertraining@radcanada.org.

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