The dance specialist is a professional who instructs students in dance techniques and styles, to provide self-enrichment activities, and to teach professional dance performance skills.  The dance specialist should be qualified to teach beginning through advanced levels of Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, and/or Musical Theatre.  The ideal dance specialist is a professionally trained dancer with classroom experience who is invested in sharing their passion for the art with elementary and middle school aged students. The specialist should lead by example in areas such as punctuality, responsibility, motivation, and professionalism.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understands, accepts, and abides by the School’s philosophy and mission statement in all his/her school activities.
• Prepares progressive lesson plans that will enhance the experience of program participants.
• Develops daily lesson plans that provide for differentiation and ongoing assessment.
• Creates a positive classroom environment that supports engaged student learning.
• Implements standards-based instruction.
• Explains and demonstrates techniques and methods of regulating movements of body to musical or rhythmic accompaniment.
• Drills pupils in execution of dance steps.
• Teaches history of dance and historical context corresponding to different styles.
• Choreographs and directs dance performance and musical productions.
• Works effectively as part of the performing arts team, and collaborates successfully with staff members.
• Collaborates in planning process for modifications in curriculum. 
• Effectively leads and manages groups of parent volunteers.
• Keeps abreast of current practices, technologies and training methods. 
• Accurately reports student attendance and submit reports in a timely manner.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

a) Classical and contemporary dance disciplines, theory, and techniques

b) Choreography and staging

c) Plan, organize, create and produce performances

d) Dance fitness and conditioning

e) Verbal communications

f) Teaching strategies and learning modalities

g) Organize environment and instruction to facilitate learning

h) Develop lesson plans for group instruction

i) Use diverse teaching strategies to meet students’ learning styles, abilities, interest, and cultural backgrounds

j) Work and collaborate effectively as a team member