Classroom Management

For anyone who spends any amount of time spent in a classroom with growing humans, they inevitably will, at some point, come up against classroom issues that can throw them for a loop if not prepared.

The littles offer so many fun and exciting challenges.  There may be impromptu contributions of every bodily fluid imaginable, and outright aggression and violence exampled by hitting, pushing, punching, and biting.  There can also be blatant disobedience or refusal to participate that figuratively cause even the most seasoned teacher to throw their hands up in surrender.

When these things happen, it’s best to put these tiny people first; the dance instruction can wait.  You may not get through even one planned exercise, but helping the very young with their bodies and their feelings is more important than getting everyone to stand still in a straight line.  

If you’re being driven mad with truly unruly children, talk to your Studio Director as soon as possible.  You can ask for them to observe a class, or you can request an assistant.  

As a rule for teaching classes for the young, make sure you always have a change of clothes handy.  

Humour aside, if you need help, do not be afraid to ask for it.  Voicing concern is not only going to help you get the support you need faster: it could bring attention to matters that may otherwise be going unattended.  Extreme behaviour in young children is a warning sign.

On occasion, you will run into difficulties that have less to do with the classroom, and more to do with studio politics.  These are conversations you will promptly hand over to your Studio Director.

If a parent approaches you with anything related to the following, respond with, “You will need to speak with the Director of the school”:

• Private lessons

• Extra rehearsals

• Special choreography

• Class switches or transfers

• Ongoing absences

• Scheduling

• Rumours about other students or their families

• Complaints about you or other staff members

It is essential that you maintain your professional distance and do not become embroiled in these matters directly.  Your Studio Director is attending to the needs of all the students and teachers, while organizing the space properly, and making sure correspondence is mainstreamed through the office.  As a Director, it is not easy to manage potentially sensitive situations if communication has been redirected or lost through a teacher.

Your school should provide you with a Teacher Handbook that outlines their specific expectations for Teacher/Family/Student protocol.

With the adolescent dancer, you may experience more subtle classroom performances that take you some time to recognize.  Interpersonal relationships between classmates can be sources of bullying, but you may not know what’s happening because the aggression is covert and done when you’re changing the music.

A lot is going on for these students.  One parent I much admire once told me that as a teacher, it’s my job to be the constant.

You are not required to be fully versed in adolescent psychology as a dance teacher - although, what an asset if you are!  You are required to transfer as much information as you can about healthy dance practices to your students, for the development of technically proficient, strong, and expressive dancers.

As the constant, you are also the first responder for situations that can, and should be, dealt with in-class.  

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