How do you become a dance teacher?

Should I Become a Dance Teacher?
Dance teachers might teach in public or private schools, after-school programs or private dance studios. They instruct their students in the basics of movement and the foundations of various styles of dance, such as tap, ballet, modern and jazz.

Dance teachers should be in good physical condition, since the work requires a great deal of activity. While working with children is often challenging and stressful, teaching can also be a very rewarding career when instructors observe their students' improvements and accomplishments.

Career Requirements
Degree Level Bachelor's degree
Degree Fields Education, dance education, fine arts
Licensure/Certification Certification in dance is required for employment in K-12 public schools
Experience Years of formal dance training
Key Skills Creativity, teamwork, leadership, physical stamina and balance, instructional skills, proficiency with imaging, data entry and spreadsheet software

Step 1: Become a Trained Dancer
Many dancers begin training at a young age (typically 5-8 years old for ballet dancers) and continue to gain skills throughout their careers. Leading dance companies may offer regular full-time training programs. Many dancers also study drama and literature to learn how to portray characters through dance.

Step 2: Complete a Teacher Education Program
Aspiring dance teachers must complete a teacher education program before they can teach in public schools. Bachelor's degree programs in dance education are also beneficial for students who plan to teach dance in a private studio or students who would like to pursue graduate-level studies in dance or dance education. Degree programs in dance education aim to develop technical, performance and choreographic skills.

Success Tips:
•Complete an internship or student teaching experience. Most teacher education programs require the completion of a field experience, such as directed teaching. Through these programs, students demonstrate teaching techniques and the ability to create learning experiences for elementary and secondary dance classrooms.

Step 3: Obtain Certification
Earning a teacher certification requires courses in education, dance education and the completion of a teaching internship. Other dance certification programs are linked with master's programs in dance. Students must also earn satisfactory scores on the PRAXIS exams. PRAXIS exams are state-administered exams that measure teachers' basic skills and content knowledge. Passing scores vary by state.

Success Tip:
•Prepare for the exams. Increase the chances of passing the exams by participating in online tutorials and interactive practice tests.

Step 4: Consider Obtaining a Master's Degree
Many schools offer master's programs in dance that culminate in K-12 dance teacher certification upon graduation. With a master's degree, dance teachers can teach at community colleges in addition to educating students in K-12 public schools. Graduate-level dance programs have artistic, performance, research and teacher training components. Students who earn a master's degree in dance are eligible for a doctorate program that can lead to more lucrative dance teacher jobs in postsecondary schools.

Check the link below.

http://study.com/articles/How_to_Become_a_Dance_Teacher_Step-By-Step_Career_Guide.html

Step 1: Become a Trained Dancer
Many dancers begin training at a young age (typically 5-8 years old for ballet dancers) and continue to gain skills throughout their careers. Leading dance companies may offer regular full-time training programs. Many dancers also study drama and literature to learn how to portray characters through dance.

Step 2: Complete a Teacher Education Program
Aspiring dance teachers must complete a teacher education program before they can teach in public schools. Bachelor's degree programs in dance education are also beneficial for students who plan to teach dance in a private studio or students who would like to pursue graduate-level studies in dance or dance education. Degree programs in dance education aim to develop technical, performance and choreographic skills.

Success Tips:
•Complete an internship or student teaching experience. Most teacher education programs require the completion of a field experience, such as directed teaching. Through these programs, students demonstrate teaching techniques and the ability to create learning experiences for elementary and secondary dance classrooms.

Step 3: Obtain Certification
Earning a teacher certification requires courses in education, dance education and the completion of a teaching internship. Other dance certification programs are linked with master's programs in dance. Students must also earn satisfactory scores on the PRAXIS exams. PRAXIS exams are state-administered exams that measure teachers' basic skills and content knowledge. Passing scores vary by state.

It really depends what type of teacher you would like to be. However the main pathways are generally the same and the options vary but go along the same lines.

1. You need to graduate high school.
2. You need to attend a college/university and earn a four- year B.A. degree. You will want to get a bachelors degree in the subject-matter that you want to teach, this makes certification in your state and subject-area feasible. You may opt to minor or double-major in education. You do not need to have a bachelors in education to be a teacher. I would suggest getting a bachelors degree in the subject you would like to teach. (for example: I am an English teacher, I majored in English literature and now have a bachelors in English).
3. Once you graduate college with your bachelors degree you have a few options:

A. Go directly to Graduate school and obtain your masters in the area of teaching/education you want to teach (ie. Masters of Education, Masters of Teaching, Masters of Secondary English, Masters of Teaching in Secondary English, Masters of Teaching in Elementary, Masters of Special Education etc.). You may also opt to get a masters degree in the subject-are you wish to teach. However, while in graduate school you must obtain a masters degree in some variation of teaching/education. So you will have either a MAT (Masters of Teaching) or MED (Masters of Education). Most graduate schools have one of the two programs and offer a variation depending on the subject (ie. Masters of Teaching in Secondary English or Masters of Education in Secondary English). This option is ussually a fifth year pathway that allows you to student teach at a school while earning your masters degree.

B. You can apply to an Alternative Route to Certification (if you state has options/offers this). This would look like a program like TeachForAmerica, AmeriCorps TutorCorps, or other Teacher Residency Programs (ie. KIPP Teaching Fellows, MATCH Schools, or charter schools that offer Teacher Resident positions. Look up the options in your state or the options available if state is not a boundary for you. During the year or two-year commitment of these programs you would typically also have classes or being earning a masters degree. This option is for teachers who want to start working directly after they graduate college. Some programs lead to Certification in your state and others lead to BOTH Certification and a Masters Degree. The ARC programs lead to 90 day certifications, which then lead to Initial Educator Certification OR Resident Teacher Certification (ALL are pathways to FULL certification in your state).

1. Regardless of which route you take you will need to take the certification exams in your state. MOST states, including CT (which is the information I know because it is my state) require the PRAXIS exams. You will need to research certification requirements within your own state for more information. However, while you are earning your masters (or after you have earned your bachelors) you will want to also prepare for and take the PRAXIS Core (which can be waived if your SAT/ACT scores are high enough) and the PRAXIS II which cannot be waived and MUST be passed for certification.
2. Once you have obtained your Bachelors degree AND Masters degree AND Passed your state certification exams AND done some form of students teaching (whether that is during college or in a residency program) you can then:
3. Go to your state board of education website and complete your certification information.
4. Then, you can APPLY as a LEAD teacher in the area you are certified.

MOST pathways take 4-6 years. You will be able to start your first year of teaching as a lead teacher generally in year 5 or 6.

This professional recommends the following next steps:

• Earn a bachelors degree in the subject area you would like to teach in AND or a bachelors in Education.
• Decide if you want to do a teaching Residency program like Teach For America or if you would like to go straight to graduate school to earn your masters degree.
• Apply to Graduate schools and Teaching Residency programs. During your senior year of college.
• Begin your first year of grad school or teaching residency.
• Earn your Masters degree in Education or Teaching, in the area you would like to teach in.