(Teaching Assistant)

Our TA Program
The purpose of our TA program is to develop and maintain a group of dedicated teaching assistants who are available to provide individual instruction and feedback to students attending our classes and workshops. We believe that NDN is unique in this respect

What is a TA?(the criteria we're looking for)
Our TAs are dancers who are skilled in both lead and follow dance roles. They follow NW Dance's approach to teaching.

Role Reversing
Our TAs are comfortable dancing with students of both genders, particularly in Swing 1, all Swing 2s, Salsa 1 and Waltz 1.

Personality and Presentation
Since our TAs interact with lots of different people, we look for people who have good energy and a positive attitude, who connect well with others, are nonjudgmental, have good social skills, are open, approachable, smiling and outgoing.

Psychology and Philosophy
A TA does more than just dance in rotation and give suggestions. TAs give makeup lessons and one-to-one instruction before and after class as well as helping people during class. We need TAs to understand the fragility of new students, the value of giving positive reinforcement, the importance of having fun during the learning experience, as well as to give help with dance moves. A good TA candidate is a" people person."

The TA program is an end in itself; it does not lead to any teacher training.

How do I get started?
We keep a list of interested persons, and when we have an opening, we select from that list the one(s) who best fit our criteria. Kris Huget, Sheila Hansen and Steve Afrin are our TA Coordinator Team. [click here if you'd like to contact them]