In our exploration of dance education during our first season, we delved into academia and the art of learning. Now, we take a closer look at the business of education, focusing on the creation of teaching resources essential for dance educators, a pivotal aspect in any dancer's career.
Enter Olivia Mode-Cater, the visionary behind Dance Ed Tips, founded in 2017 to empower dancers and dance teachers across the nation with a rich array of teaching resources and learning materials.
1. View the teacher and the students as knowledge holders and absorbers.
As someone who ventured into dance later than most, I eagerly immersed myself in the performing arts world, absorbing every bit of information like a sponge. My insatiable curiosity eventually drove me to analyze everything, often at the expense of overlooking critical self-reflection. Looking back, I realized my early education lacked a healthy dose of skepticism toward my teachers, leading to some persistent bad habits that lingered long after my Academy days.
Indeed, traditional educational dynamics position teachers as the holders of knowledge and students as passive recipients. However, in today's information-rich landscape, students often possess real profound insights and knowledge, challenging the once unflippable roles. Recognizing and embracing students' knowledge instead transforms a class dynamic, fostering more inclusivity and mutual learning.
An innovative tool to encourage this shift is the "Get to Know Your Students Bundle." This comprehensive package includes welcome card games, icebreakers, introductory worksheets, and emotional wellness questionnaires. Not only does this resource aid teachers in swiftly familiarizing themselves with their students, it also fosters connections among students. As every teacher would know, empowering class participants to take an active role naturally energizes the environment, creating a vibrant setting conducive to deeper exploration — right into the heart of dance itself!
2. Connect what you’re teaching to the dancers.
In my three-year podcasting journey, I've encountered a diverse array of dance-related podcasts that sparked my passion for utilizing this medium for education. Each of my favorite shows boasts a unique blend of specialized topics and diverse content. That’s why The Background Dancer was established on the foundation of 10 core industry niches, aiming to carve out a distinct educational identity while providing a comprehensive view of the dance world.
Despite its omnipresence, the field of education often faces misconceptions and underestimations of its complexity. In our tech-driven era, educators have undergone a significant transformation. They've transitioned from being mere knowledge providers to becoming facilitators and motivators, fostering deeper connections with students and empowering them to reach their utmost potential.
More importantly, engaging dancers requires meeting them where they are and ensuring the content remains relevant. It’s about hooking their interest and instilling belief in their potential for achievement. This is where Olivia's Presentation Offerings shine, serving as a specialized educational tool that reaches aspiring students in various facets of dance, covering everything from Classroom Management and Improvisation to Science, Video Editing, and even technological resources for budding teachers. Beyond merely dance education for students, this service nurtures the future generation of dance educators, delivering both specialized content and a diverse range of resources. By offering a blend of expertise and variety, Dance Ed Tips has unlocked the key to engaging and connecting with the upcoming wave of dancers and educators alike.
3. Build the kind of business YOU are interested in running.
Transitioning from an educator to an entrepreneur is undeniably a challenging but immensely rewarding journey, particularly when driven by passion. While there are many offerings in dance education, few stand out as truly unique and distinct from the market competition. As I recently embarked on my own path into cultural entrepreneurship, I encountered the uphill battle of establishing a successful business — one that often teeters between being too new and niche or just another run-of-the-mill product.
Olivia's journey mirrors this challenge but with an innovative twist. She recognized early on that most dance businesses primarily focused on nurturing young dancers, overlooking a pivotal segment — the development of young teachers. Drawing from her extensive experience in diverse educational settings and her inherent passion for mentoring, she then crafted a business that not only stands out but is thriving even after six years. Remarkably, DET products have found their way to various corners of the world, including my beloved Malaysia.
The essence lies in recognizing that success takes diverse forms. Your vision for the kind of business you want to cultivate will be unique to your aspirations and lifestyle. So, choose a business model that works for your life and what you are trying to achieve, and just leave the rest to education’s inherent ability to sow the seeds of transformation from student to teacher, or teacher to entrepreneur.
Check out the full episode here
| 21.10.2024 |
