Building a Strong Reputation as a Dance Teacher

As a dance teacher, you reputation is how others view your character, skills, and impact on your students.

Building a good reputation goes beyond just teaching good classes and making interesting choreography!! It involves cultivating relationships and the way you conduct yourself with your employers, students, parents, and fellow faculty. 

Having a strong reputation is key in reaching your goals and receiving more opportunities. When students, parents, and colleagues see you as a reliable, professional, and passionate educator, they’ll be more likely to support you, want to keep you, AND recommend you to others. You'll also have more negotiating power when it comes to conversations about pay. Not to mention-- it's a lot more pleasant to do our work when we are trusted and respected!

Below are actionable steps you can take to make a meaningful impact and create a thriving career in dance education.

FYI: this list may seem like obvious and basic stuff. But the truth is, it's really rare for someone to embody all of these qualities. If you can get them all down, TRUST ME: you're going to stand out!

1. Be on time

Regardless of how knowledgeable and good you are with your students in the classroom-- none of that matters if you can't be on time!! Being late signals to your employers (and your students) that you are unserious and unreliable. Plus, dance studios/schools are a business and they must start (and end) on time.

Ideally, you should be arriving early to set up the space, greet your students as they come in, and start the class on a positive note. Trust and respect begin with the basics, and dependability is at the top of the list! 

2. Communicate

Clear and consistent communication is essential for building a great reputation. Whether you’re communicating to students their classroom expectations, updating your studio director on students' progress or issues that arose in class, or responding to emails/correspondence in a timely manner, strong communication demonstrates your commitment to your work. It also helps to prevent misunderstandings!

3. Be prepared

Teaching dance requires time spent working outside of the studio. Arrive to all of your classes with a plan, know your structure, and know your music and counts. Students and parents notice when a class is organized and flows seamlessly. Trying to figure things out in the moment wastes time and again, signals to others that you are not confident or committed in your work. 

Of course, not everything goes exactly according to plan when we're working with children! However, a prepared teacher is able to adjust and adapt much more smoothly. Come ready with multiple plans and tools to pull out if needed. 

**Reminder that I teach all of my methods for dance class lesson planning in the Dance Teacher Intensive!

4. Utilize and be mindful about social media

Like it or not, social media is now a useful tool for dance teachers to promote themselves. Whenever you're applying to a position, keep in mind that your potential employer is going to look you up on there. What they see will be their first impression of you.

If you post things you aren't comfortable having students or employers see, make sure you switch your account to private. However, I recommend all dance teachers have a separate public, professional account they can use as an extension of their portfolio. You can share clips of your choreography, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and helpful dance tips. This is a great way for teachers to build upon their brand and reach more people. 

Just be careful about posting videos of your students online-- if you don't have both the studio's and parental consent, don't do it!

5. Continue your education

The best teachers are lifelong learners, and the dance education field is always evolving. By pursuing teaching workshops and certifications, you demonstrate your commitment to keeping your skills fresh. Continuing education shows students and parents that you are dedicated to providing them with the highest quality of instruction.

Staying current also allows you to bring new perspectives and techniques to your classes, which keeps students engaged and eager to learn from you. When you actively invest in your own learning, you build a reputation as a teacher who is both knowledgeable and passionate about growth. 

In conclusion...

In a competitive field, nailing these 5 qualities down will make you stand out and establish trust among students, parents, and employers. A strong reputation doesn’t just create a positive work environment for yourself—it opens doors to new opportunities, increased job security, and a greater impact on those you teach.