All about Teachers "CERTIFICATION"  through

Golden State Dance Teachers Assn. (GSDTA)
as well as Judges Training through the
National Dance Dynamics Certification Board (NDDCB)

 
GSDTA TEACHER'S CERTIFICATION has been going on for over 45 years.  The process usually starts by attending a Mini-Intensive.   Some people prefer a 2-day  or 3-day Mini-Intensive before plunging into a week long Intensive.  Others, jump right in and enjoy the impact.  Many times participants prefer being able to take their first exam after their first week long Intensive.  One Full Intensive usually covers the 40 hours minimum training required to take the Preliminary Exam. 

However, Most participants do quite a bit of home study if they plan to take the exam after one Intensive. - (GSDTA  Books, Videos, Articles, etc.)  They also make it a point to attend any independent Workshops with GSDTA Specialist Teacher Trainers like:  Wayne & Sharlot Bott, Jordan & Tatiana, Mary Ann Nunez, or Skippy.

The Preliminary Examination is available several times a year. Further study is required after passing the Preliminary. Most Teachers like to teach for a while before taking the Registered exam. That's the second phase.  Participants progress at their own pace and apply to take the exams when they feel they are ready.  Following the 2nd exam, teachers are asked to submit a Video of themselves teaching a class.  There is a formula for knowing what is expected in the class presentation.  If you have any further questions, please feel free to call Skippy at (562) 869-8949.  If she is not available at that moment, we can make a telephone appointment at your convenience. 

Over 12 hundred teachers have passed their Certification exams and have been issued a Teachers ID#.  Well over 13 thousand have participated in GSDTA Intensive training, focusing on the Universal Unit System(R).

JUDGES CERTIFICATION is in it's tenth official year through the National Dance Dynamics Certification Board (NDDCB).  Many people have participated in GSDTA Judging Seminars through the years, but the new, separate Certification for Judges is a recent innovation.  In 2002, the World Swing Dance Council approved the NDDCB training program.  This program includes 12 hours of dedicated NDDCB "Judges Training" - a Preliminary Exam - Apprentice Judging at 4 events - plus 12 additional hours of Judges training.  The last step is the Judges Certification Examination and letters of recommendation from event directors or head judges.  Most Judges are involved in more than the required basic training hours required.  Several have participated in various levels of "practice"  judging (Mock Judging), as well as the required "Apprentice" Judging.

The latest in SWING DANCE TRAINING COURSES is the recently implemented "Dancer Acceleration" Program.  These exams became the newest rage,  when people started realizing that the "guaranteed to improve everyone's dancing" was not a joke, but is REAL!   In the world of education, people take exams to identify what they have learned, as well as what they NEED to learn.  Examinations are the only way we can determine what someone needs to learn.  No records or grades are kept for the Dancer Acceleration exams, unless by request.  This exam is just an informal exercise to identify areas that need further understanding and development through our program.

Judges Training is based on the proven program that parallels our Teachers Training.  Exams may  be written or arrangements can be made for a verbal exam.  Participants are always AMAZED at the information they gather.

Contact GSDTA Offices (562) 869-8949 for dates and costs for examinations.  Intensives are scheduled for the year in the online section labeled:  INTENSIVES.