All about Teachers "CERTIFICATION"  through

Golden State Dance Teachers Assn. (GSDTA)
as well as Judges Training through the
National Dance Dynamics Certification Board (NDDCB)  Latest Update: 3-22-11

 GSDTA TEACHER'S CERTIFICATION has been going on for over 51 years.  The process usually started by attending a Mini-Intensive.   Some people preferred  a 2-day  or 3-day Mini-Intensive before plunging into a week long Intensive.  Others, jumped right in and enjoyed the impact.  Many participants took their first exam, following their first week long Intensive.  Most weeklong Intensives covered the 40 hours minimum training required to take the Preliminary Exam. 

TODAY is a NEW DAY. People all over the world are wanting to learn the UNIVERSAL UNIT SYSTEM that so eloquently, and easily teaches West Coast Swing. Europeans are already familiar with doing concentrated study at home - before attending an Intensive with Skippy. 

CURRENTLY (2011) we are involved in a special program designed to culminate in Certification in January, 2012, at the Monterey SwingThing in Monterey, Ca.   Participants are doing quite a bit of home study (GSDTA  Books, Videos, Articles, etc.)  Several make it a point to attend any independent Workshops with GSDTA Specialist Teacher Trainers like:   Jordan & Tatiana, Mary Ann Nunez, Sharlot Bott & Mark the Marine.

Those involved in the current program, with examinations in January, are aware that extensive home study is required - which includes 2 new DVDs that are being prepared with dedicated instruction material that covers discussions on ALL subjects included in the exam (DVD available October 1st) - plus attendance at the January Intensive with Skippy in Monterey - with plans to take the exam at the end of that week.

Examinations will be available, starting in 2012, only 4 times a year - and dates will be announced in January.  Further study is required after passing the Preliminary. Most Teachers like to teach for a while, using their new-found information, 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 required 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 11th 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.  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 not only  to identify what they have learned, but more importantly, to learn what they NEED to learn.  Examination is  the only way we can determine what someone actually knows, as well as what they need 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 the GSDTA, Universal Unit System 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 of examinations.  Intensives are scheduled for the year in the online section labeled:  INTENSIVES.