Registration is currently OPEN for Season 14 2026/2027 STEP Program. To show your interest and learn more about the program, please register for our “STEP Team Sign-Up Meeting & Orientation” class in your Online Portal and we will reach out to you with further details.
LT’s Student Teacher Education Program is a six-year graduated pathway of mentorship and work experience in dance education. Our curated methods foster leadership skills, accountability, confidence and a sense of service and belonging in our teen participants.
Through hands-on experience, STEP students gain knowledge on classroom management and structure, lesson planning, workplace safety, curriculum content for diverse dance styles across various levels and more. On the creative side, STEP students learn appropriate selection of music, costuming and how to produce sound choreography for all ages.
STEP Team members act as studio ambassadors; demonstrating the values of our community, assisting with studio events and overall embodying a positive, inspirational attitude that our younger students can look up to.
The three phase STEP pathway…
- OBSERVE & ASSIST
- PRACTICE & DEVELOP
- INSTRUCT & INSPIRE
PHASE ONE – OBSERVE & ASSIST:
LT Dance Studio students ages twelve and up enrol in the STEP program and volunteer as a Teaching Assistant. As a Teaching Assistant, STEPs observe and assist with classes and learn a solid foundation from our professional Faculty. For some, this may be as far as they wish to take their STEP journey. They simply enjoy the opportunity to assist with younger students and be highly involved in our studio happenings.
PHASE TWO – PRACTICE & DEVELOP:
Following three full seasons as a Teaching Assistant, STEPs graduate year after year to Junior Teacher followed by Intermediate Teacher then finally Senior Teacher by which time they will be in their graduating year of secondary school. STEPs begin to put to practice what they learned through their first three seasons as a Teaching Assistant; gaining opportunities to lead in the classroom and exposure to more formal curriculum and assignments. STEPs develop confidence as they begin to find their voice and identity as a teacher and leader.
PHASE THREE – INSTRUCT & INSPIRE:
The third and final stage of our STEP journey occurs when our experienced and knowledgeable students graduate to Faculty. Getting to this stage requires significant dedication, paramount work ethic and a strong commitment to pursuing a career in dance education. By this time, STEPs will have also attained accredited dance and teaching certificates beyond our programs and will be experienced and qualified to lead classes independently under the direction of LT Dance Studio Owner/Director Bonnie Cuthbertson. As Faculty, these new instructors inspire their students to pursue their passions and strive for joy and excellence throughout their dance journeys.
