Student Teacher Education Program
Our Student Teacher Education Program (STEP) provides students with the opportunity to become leaders inside our dance home while learning time management, taking initiative, making healthy choices, communication skills, presentation and more! At Squamish Dance Centre, we believe that having an opportunity to develop leadership skills at an early age creates positive, dedicated and confident humans inside and outside of our dance home.
All dancers applying for the program will be required to attend our STEP 'Back To Dance Training' in September, commit to their scheduled weekly student teacher class(es), stay focused and dedicated to their own classes and a willingness to receive feedback and improve their leadership skills.
Student Teachers are expected to approach this role just like a job; learning how to be a reliable, confident and positive future employee or employer! We do not pay our Student Teachers, this is a volunteer position. We gift our student teachers with a Student Teacher tank top, back to dance treat, holiday party, year end party, and a whole lot of love and encouragement!
QUALIFICATIONS
This year, we are introducing a tiered STEP system where Student Teachers are placed based on their STEP experience and teacher recommendation. Our tiered system is not based on age or dance experience, but on the dancer’s experience as a Student Teacher as well as how they conduct themselves as a Student Teacher inside the classroom. Our tiered system will provide experienced STEP dancers with more opportunities to be leaders inside and outside of the classroom, while also allowing newer Student Teachers to have more support. We have been intentional with our tiered system to ensure all Student Teachers are receiving adequate training and support to allow them to further reach their full potential as a leader.
PURPLE TIER - newer Student Teachers, only 0-3 years of experience.
This tier is for Students who are newer to STEP and may not have as much experience as a Student Teacher. This tier is for students who are still learning to be Student Teachers. ALL NEW Student Teachers will start in the Purple Tier and have the ability to move up as they gain more experience and confidence in the classroom throughout the years. All Student Teachers still gaining confidence and experience assisting inside the classroom will be part of our purple tier at the recommendation of our team.
Example of Responsibilities for Purple Tier:
GREEN TIER - students with minimum of 3 years experience.
Student Teachers in the Green tier will have shown our team that they are confident, have clear communication, take initiative and are able to be a great follower as well as a leader. They are leaning into their responsibility as a role model for younger students and show up consistently every week in the proper attire and hair, as well as readiness to take lead. Green tier student teachers will have more opportunities for responsibility inside and outside the classroom.
Example of Responsibilities for Green Tier:
YELLOW TIER - students with 5+ years of experience.
Student Teachers in the Yellow Tier will have shown our team consistent and confident leadership qualities inside and outside the classroom and have become exceptional role models for younger students. They will have more opportunities to step into the role of a teacher, leading exercises and assisting with choreography. This tier is for Student Teachers who have developed strong leadership qualities and show a desire to become an independent leader in the future.
Example of Responsibilities for Yellow Tier:
**All Student Teachers will be assigned into a Tier based on their past experience and teacher recommendation. Each year we will reevaluate Student Teachers based on teacher feedback and self-evaluation.
Application Deadline
Sunday, August 17th
Mandatory Back To Dance Training
Thursday, September 4th
**Specific training groups and times TBA
All dancers applying for the program will be required to attend our STEP 'Back To Dance Training' in September, commit to their scheduled weekly student teacher class(es), stay focused and dedicated to their own classes and a willingness to receive feedback and improve their leadership skills.
Student Teachers are expected to approach this role just like a job; learning how to be a reliable, confident and positive future employee or employer! We do not pay our Student Teachers, this is a volunteer position. We gift our student teachers with a Student Teacher tank top, back to dance treat, holiday party, year end party, and a whole lot of love and encouragement!
QUALIFICATIONS
- 10 years or older as of January 1st, 2026.
- At least two years of dance training.
- At least one year of dance training in the genre you would like to assist with.
- Passionate and comfortable working with children.
- A deep and dedicated love for dance.
- Willingness to make mistakes, learn and step outside of your comfort zone.
- Always trying your best inside and outside of our dance home.
- Submit your application by August 17th.
- Attend our mandatory back to dance training on September 4th. Specific group training times & detailed information TBD.
This year, we are introducing a tiered STEP system where Student Teachers are placed based on their STEP experience and teacher recommendation. Our tiered system is not based on age or dance experience, but on the dancer’s experience as a Student Teacher as well as how they conduct themselves as a Student Teacher inside the classroom. Our tiered system will provide experienced STEP dancers with more opportunities to be leaders inside and outside of the classroom, while also allowing newer Student Teachers to have more support. We have been intentional with our tiered system to ensure all Student Teachers are receiving adequate training and support to allow them to further reach their full potential as a leader.
PURPLE TIER - newer Student Teachers, only 0-3 years of experience.
This tier is for Students who are newer to STEP and may not have as much experience as a Student Teacher. This tier is for students who are still learning to be Student Teachers. ALL NEW Student Teachers will start in the Purple Tier and have the ability to move up as they gain more experience and confidence in the classroom throughout the years. All Student Teachers still gaining confidence and experience assisting inside the classroom will be part of our purple tier at the recommendation of our team.
Example of Responsibilities for Purple Tier:
- Basic duties assisting inside the classroom: handing out and setting up props, lining up dancers across the floor, helping with shoelaces, walking dancers to and from the washroom, etc.
- Basic demonstration of steps and choreography when instructed by the teacher.
- Keeping Students engaged and on track inside the classroom.
- No verbal or hands-on corrections unless directed by a teacher.
GREEN TIER - students with minimum of 3 years experience.
Student Teachers in the Green tier will have shown our team that they are confident, have clear communication, take initiative and are able to be a great follower as well as a leader. They are leaning into their responsibility as a role model for younger students and show up consistently every week in the proper attire and hair, as well as readiness to take lead. Green tier student teachers will have more opportunities for responsibility inside and outside the classroom.
Example of Responsibilities for Green Tier:
- Basic duties assisting inside the classroom.
- Leading warm-ups or games when directed by the teacher.
- Starting to learn how to give verbal and hands-on corrections.
- Demonstrating steps, tricks and choreography when instructed by the teacher.
- Helping out with studio events such as: Halloween Party, Studio Sleepover, Tea Party, etc.
- Having the opportunity to mentor Purple Tier Student Teachers.
YELLOW TIER - students with 5+ years of experience.
Student Teachers in the Yellow Tier will have shown our team consistent and confident leadership qualities inside and outside the classroom and have become exceptional role models for younger students. They will have more opportunities to step into the role of a teacher, leading exercises and assisting with choreography. This tier is for Student Teachers who have developed strong leadership qualities and show a desire to become an independent leader in the future.
Example of Responsibilities for Yellow Tier:
- Leading warm ups, exercises, and games inside the classroom.
- Stepping into the role of teacher if the teacher needs to step outside of the classroom for any reason.
- Assists the teacher with correcting students.
- Spotting dancers for tricks.
- Helping to plan and facilitate studio events.
- Having the opportunity to mentor Green Tier Student Teachers.
**All Student Teachers will be assigned into a Tier based on their past experience and teacher recommendation. Each year we will reevaluate Student Teachers based on teacher feedback and self-evaluation.
Application Deadline
Sunday, August 17th
Mandatory Back To Dance Training
Thursday, September 4th
**Specific training groups and times TBA