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Endorsed by CDTA Developed and Presented by
CDTA member Irene Widdup, B.Ed RAD RTS
An Online Certification Course for Aspiring Student Assistants
This 6-hour online program is designed to help dance students become confident, capable, and valuable assistants in the classroom. Over the course of the year, students will attend four online sessions, where they will gain essential knowledge and practical skills to support teachers and younger dancers effectively.
Between sessions, students will complete short independent assignments connected to the classes they assist in. These assignments encourage reflection, build confidence, and prepare students for meaningful discussions during the next online session.
The program concludes with a graduation ceremony, and each participant will receive a Certificate of Completion to recognize their achievement.
Help your student assistants step into their roles with purpose and professionalism — and setthem up for success in and out of the studio!
Teacher Mentors will receive an email outlining what students have learned in each session and what is expected of them in the classroom. This update will also include suggested ways to support and guide their student assistants, helping ensure a successful and enriching experience for the teacher, assistant and the class.
📚 Course Content Overview.
- Roles & Responsibilities of a Dance Assistant
- Building Relationships & Trust in the Classroom
- Ways to Assist Effectively During Class
- Breaking Down Steps for Peers
- Observation & Correction: How to Offer Constructive Feedback
- Supporting Your Teacher: Keeping a Class Engaged
- Basic Anatomy
- Warm-Up and Stretching Techniques
- Time Management, Burnout & Self-Care
Modules 7, 8, and 9 will be activity-based with independent study components between sessions.
Additional Materials:
- Journals and self-reflection assignments
- Workbooks (provided to each participant)
Scheduled Sessions (All times AB Time):
- September 7, 2025 – 10:00 AM (1.5 hrs)
- October 19, 2025 – 10:00 AM (1.5 hrs)
- November 23, 2025 – 10:00 AM (1 hr)
- February 22, 2026 – 10:00 AM (1 hr)
- June 7, 2026 – Graduation Session (1 hr)
Irene Widdup – Owner & Artistic Director, Footworks Dance Academy
With over 35 years of teaching and choreography experience, Miss Irene is a highly respected leader in the dancecommunity. She holds a Teaching Certificate from the Royal Academy of Dance and a Bachelor of Education with Honours, and is a proud Member of the International Academy of Dance Adjudicators. She also currently serves asPresident of the Alberta Dance Educators Association.
Miss Irene’s extensive training includes 48 years of dance, and she is certified in:
- Acrobatic Arts
- Progressive Ballet Training (PBT)
- Spectacle Blue Aerial Arts (Hoop, Trapeze, and Silks)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique
- ADAPT Jazz and Tap Syllabi
She teaches a full range of dance styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. Her commitment to excellence keeps her attending master classes and dance conventions in New York, LosAngeles, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Phoenix, and across Alberta to stay current with industry trends.
Miss Irene is also the author of the Student Teaching Education Program (S.T.E.P.), a comprehensive trainingcurriculum for aspiring dance teachers. She has presented this program internationally and specializes in preschool dance education, classroom lesson development, and teacher training. Her innovative methods have been featured at various teacher conventions throughout Canada, and she has served as a teaching mentor for the RAD’s Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies Program.