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[5/21/2008 SteppersUSA News]
Certification Reader Questions Answered By Tanya Nash
By Markie Bee

Comments about the certification series have been coming in from far and wide which I think is a good thing. Discussion is an important first step toward the realization of a legitimate mainstream global steppers community accepted by the larger world community. SteppersUSA reached out to Tanya Nash who is the chief architect of the National Association Of Steppers Advisory Board (NSAAB) which was started in 2007. The NSAAB web site states, "The National Association Of Steppers Advisory Board is an organization founded by Steppers with express intent of establishing best practice guidelines for our community and its business relations in ways that will lead to it being recognized as a National Dance Art Form.
There were many emails but one seemed to be more eloquent than the others and it included all of the questions you asked. Thanks to Ernest Williams for that email.
A reminder, SteppersUSA supports certification and has suggested consistency in teaching the basics of the dance, so bear in mind, from the beginning I haven't been talking about advanced moves in that call. Now the questions...
"As far as the certification goes, I'm for it, but I'll play devil's advocate for a bit, because these things would need to be considered to make it a success." Ernest Williams
On Consistency.
Question:
Someone said that consistency between teachers would be a benefit. My question is does this mean that the teachers have to teach the same way?
Tanya's Response:
When I "mapped out" the certification program and training that I currently use, the benefit and or motivation was simplicity. How do we translate what we do as dancers to other people effectively and efficiently. All teachers should have the same common goal to teach what they have knowledge. The program is geared toward this fact. All teachers are trained to teach the same concepts about the dance and are given metaphors, verbal examples and visual examples that have proven to be highly effective in my own teaching experiences. There is terminology also based on the concept of simplicity; why not deliver something that you really want someone to have in the most direct fashion? However, the training manual I use is not a verbatim script but it does include the most important supporting facts for each topical area of learning as a trainee~ the things that if they say consistently throughout the course of a students learning process. Thus Yes teachers would have to be able to adopt the simplistic method for all of the topics covered in the manual.
Question:
Will there be a syllabus that every certified teacher must follow?
Tanya's Response:
In the training program that I administer there is a manual that is used for instruction it is static in nature recognizing that not everyone learns the same idea in the same fashion. There is room within the structure for individualized learning as long as the concepts are grasped and then able to be used.
On Creativity.
Question:
Where is the creativity in that? Where is the opportunity for innovation?
Tanya's Response:
The Creativity is not effected in theory because the program itself is geared towards learning the fundamentals with the purpose of inspiring creativity once the fundamental concepts are grasped.
On "The Count"
Question:
Will all the different counts used to teach be condensed to one? This would not be a bad thing, but is it necessary?
Tanya's Response:
I have found physiological differences between the 2 counts that are taught in majority of classes that can support the use of a different count however I continually demonstrate that the count does not change the actual steps or execution of the dance.
On Integrity of Instructors
Question:
What would keep teachers from getting the certification and then just doing what they've always done?
Tanya's Response:
There is no full proof way to guarantee that an individual will practice integrity in their business dealings however the NSAAB web site will have the ability to receive instructor complaints and revoke certification and all of its benefits.
On Innovation and Growth
Question:
Black people are very innovative when it comes to music, dance any thing artistic and bodily kinesthetic endeavors. When the next innovation comes along that could change or expand the whole dance, how will that be incorporated? How will the dance grow? Or will that not be allowed?
Tanya's Response:
Growth is inevitable however guidelines do also structure growth.
Classroom Management
Question:
I see a need for improvement in instruction and classroom management. I know LC Henderson has his flowchart for the 8 count and Crosstown Steppers have a great syllabus for teaching, but by and large in my little experience with steppin classes within Chicago, I see need for much improvement.
Tanya's Response:
The Certification Program that I administer actually address the Ideal Structure of a Stepping Class and alternatives that help increase efficiency and effective time and crowd management.
Question:
The method of teaching every level at the same time in the same room is not necessarily a bad idea. It's just that rarely is anyone in charge of the whole class and there are students that come in and don't know what's going on. When there are more than 2-5 teachers in the room and only 20 students, you would think that the teacher student ratio would be to the students advantage, but often times students get lost in the shuffle.
Tanya's Response:
First rarely does a class have multiple lead instructors. (Lead instructors aren't necessarily still trying to learn to dance while teaching/learning to teach.) The certification program helps identify the needs of a class and the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved as well as alternative structures when the ideal set up is not able to be achieved. Often times the skills that we employ in corporate America should also apply for A Steppin Capital, USA.
How many instructors
Question:
I think that the different levels should be taught at different times and one teacher should run the class. If there are assistants they should only help correct people and practice with them, but they do not determine what is to be taught. The head teacher should have a plan on what to teach before the class starts and follow the plan, of course being flexible in case the material is too difficult or too easy for the group.
Tanya's Response:
I don't agree with 1 teacher running the class because all classes should a male and female counterpart that are considered experts in their proper parts of the dance and a minimal portion of the opposite partners dance. I agree the lead instructors should dictate and make clear the expectations of them as assistants. Assistants are only effective as their leads.
Assistants
Question
As long as everyone is working on the same thing I think that having one teacher or teaching couple (man and woman) is the best method for running a class and the students will actually be learning from the people who have the certification not the assistants.
Tanya's Response:
How often are the people in the class all working on the same thing i.e. the same skill level. Without Assistants there are a lot of people who will not learn with the group they will always be behind if the 1 instructor or couple you mention does not manage to fit you in this during this class will you come back for the next one.
Markie Bee's final thoughts
Thank you to everyone who asked the questions and to both Ernest for the succinct questions and Tanya for her responses. It's becoming clear certification is an issue that is on peoples minds which nictitates the need. Like a drivers license exam is the affirmation of minimum proficiency so is certification. Just imagine for a moment "Street Cred" as well as professional credentials can lead to so much more for the steppers community. It all starts with support of certification by both the student and the instructor.
As always, If you have an opinion, thoughts you would like to share, please Send us an email.
Related:
Why Instructors Need Certification
Why Instructors Need Certification (With Reader Additions)
Why it Makes Sense Now
Why It Makes Sense Now Part 2
Why It Makes Sense Now Part 3
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