“Student Assistant Training Program”
Joint venture with the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association
and
CDTA Affiliate Irene Widdup, B.Ed RAD RTS
An Online Certification Course for Aspiring Student Assistants
This 10 hour online program is designed to help dance students become confident, capable, and valuable assistants in the classroom.
Choose the Path That Fits Your Schedule
Option A: Condensed Program
Option B: Full Season Program
Over the course of the season, students will attend online sessions along with 2 pre-recorded sessions they can do on their own time.
They will gain essential knowledge and practical skills to support teachers and younger dancers effectively.
Students will complete short independent assignments using our google worksheet forms. These assignments encourage reflection, connection with the dancers from the classes they assist, build confidence, and prepare students for meaningful discussions during their online sessions.
The program concludes with a graduation ceremony, and each participant will receive a Certificate of Completion to recognize their achievement if all assignments have been completed.
Help your student assistants step into their roles with purpose and professionalism — and set them 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.
Must be 12 years of age and up.
📚 Course Content Overview for both programs:
- Roles & Responsibilities of a Teacher Assistant (Miss Irene)
- Building Relationships & Trust in the Classroom (Miss Irene)
- Ways to Assist Affectively During Class (Miss Irene)
- Communication, Confident Presence, Professionalism (CDTA)
- Breaking Down Steps for Students & Common Mistakes (CDTA)
- Observation & Correction: How to Offer Constructive Feedback (Miss Irene)
- Supporting Your Teacher: Keeping a Class Engaged (Miss Irene)
- Basic Anatomy (Miss Irene)
- Warm-Up and Stretching Techniques (Miss Irene)
- Time Management, Burnout & Self-Care (Miss Irene)
- Nutrition (CDTA)
- Getting Ready for the Busy Season (CDTA)
Additional Materials:
- Journals and self-reflection assignments
- Miss Irene’s Workbook & CDTA’s Workbook (provided to each participant)
Scheduled Sessions for the Condensed Program:
July 22 –Orientation/How to Use Google Chat 30 min/ Miss Irenes’ Program 1.5 hours/CDTA Professionalism & Breaking down steps, Common Mistakes 1.5 hours (3.5 hours)
August 19 – Miss Irene’s Program 2 hours/ CDTA Communication, Confident Presence/ Breaking Down Steps, Common Mistakes 2 hours (4 hours)
September 13 – Miss Irene’s Program 2 hours/CDTA Course Summary & Graduation.
Classes will start at: 10:00AM BC
11:00AM AB/SK
12:00PM MB
1:00PM ON/QC
2:00PM ATL
2:30PM NFL/Lab.
Nutrition & Getting Ready for the Busy Season are pre-recorded sessions that can be viewed at your convenience.
Scheduled Sessions for Season Program:
September 13, 2026 – CDTA 15 Orientation/How to use Google Chat 30 minutes
September 13, 2026 – Miss Irene’s Program 1 hour
October 18, 2026 – Miss Irene’s Program 1 hour
November 22, 2026 – Miss Irene’s Program 1 hour
December 6, 2026 – CDTA – Communication, Confident Presence, Professionalism 1hour
January 17, 2027 – CDTA – Breaking down steps 1 hour
February 21, 2027 – Miss Irene’s Program 1 hour
March 14, 2027-CDTA – Breaking down steps 1 hour
April, 2027 – pre recorded session CDTA (30 min) Nutrition
May, 2027 – pre recorded session CDTA (30 min) Getting Ready for the Busy Season
June 6, 2027 – Course summary and Graduation Session – CDTA & Miss Irene 1.5 hours
Session Fee: $275.00
Members receive special group rates for their staff.
Limited Registration
Classes held at: 10:00AM BC
11:00AM AB/SK
12:00PM MB
1:00PM ON/QC
2:00PM ATL
2:30PM NFL/Lab.
Time will differ in November after the time change. 10:00AM BC
10AM AB
11AM SK/MB
12PM ON/QC
1PM ATL
1:30PM NFL/Lab
_______________
Irene Widdup – Owner & Artistic Director, Footworks Dance Academy
With over 39 years of teaching and choreography experience, Miss Irene is a highly respected leader in the dance community. 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 as President of the Alberta Dance Educators Association and is a proud CDTA Affiliate Member. Miss Irene’s extensive training includes 48 years of dance, and she is certified in:
- CDTA Affiliate Member
- 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, Los Angeles, 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 training curriculum 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.
Julie Dionne – CDTA Representative
Julie Dionne is a passionate educator whose life’s work is rooted in elevating the art of teaching dance. Beginning her journey in Ontario, Julie discovered early on that her love of movement was matched only by her desire to help others grow through it. Over the course of more than 30 years, she has become a respected mentor, guide, and advocate for dance educators across Canada.
After spending over two decades as a studio owner in Alberta, Julie dedicated herself to shaping dancers of all ages, levels, and disciplines. Her students have gone on to thrive in film, television, theatre, and education—an achievement she attributes not only to strong technical training, but to the supportive, confidence‑building environment she creates in every class.
Julie’s extensive training spans jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, modern, and acrobatic dance, giving her a rich and versatile foundation from which to teach. Her curiosity and enthusiasm for learning have led her to study with renowned dance masters across Canada and abroad, continually expanding her knowledge so she can better serve the next generation of teachers and dancers.
A dedicated member of the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (CDTA), Julie is an active examiner in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and acrobatic dance. In her role as Public Relations Director, she champions the growth of qualified dance educators and contributes to the development of national teaching standards. Her work reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the dance teaching community and ensuring that educators feel supported, informed, and inspired.
Above all, Julie is a teacher of teachers. She is known for generously sharing her expertise, classroom strategies, and practical teaching tools with fellow educators. Her mission is to empower teachers to cultivate confidence, pride, and excellence in their students—while embracing their own individuality and artistry as instructors.
Julie’s leadership, warmth, and unwavering dedication continue to uplift the dance education community. Through every class she teaches and every educator she mentors, she reinforces her belief that great teaching is an art form in itself—one that has the power to shape dancers, teachers, and communities for generations.