Written by Shanna Kirkpatrick, Chara Founder
4.15.2024
Dance Teaching Assistants
In 2008, an adorable preschooler named Katelyn walked into her first dance class. It was at a new studio housed at the Friendswood Friends Church gym, with orange carpet, rolling mirrors, and a giant boom box. That was the first year of Chara Christian Dance Academy and Katelyn was one of my first students.
Katelyn Barcelona will be graduating from Friendswood High School this year and continues to be a staple at Chara as both a student and classroom assistant. Katelyn’s maturity in the classroom supporting tenured teachers even earned her a spot on our Junior Faculty this year!
Classroom assistants like Katelyn are one of the many things that set Chara Christian Dance Academy apart from other studios. Each assistant supports our instructors in laying the infrastructure of a successful, growth-oriented classroom environment.
Our 70 assistants are trained throughout the year and tasked in many objectives as they help instructors grow our young dancers. Beyond fixing shoes and putting hair in buns, Chara assistants help us cultivate a personalized classroom experience for each dancer; granting teachers an opportunity to provide hands-on corrections and more one-on-one instruction. Assistants allow teachers to maximize time and analyze the needs of the class and the unique learners and movers inside of the class. Classroom assistants help teachers grow students farther, faster!
Being selected into our assistant program is something many Chara dancers look forward to! Assistants:
- Learn key responsibility and communication skills
- Are mentored directly by our teaching staff
- Grow as dancers themselves.
Being reminded of the basics is never out of style!
CLICK HERE to apply to be a Chara Dance Teaching Assistant
As we near the celebration of Season 18 with Chara Christian Dance Academy’s recital, we want to recognize and honor all of our student assistants, the inspiration they provide young dancers, the unique level of instruction they bring to our studio, and the investment they make in themselves through this unmatched program!
