5 Ways to Show Appreciation to Your Dance Teachers

It never ceases to amaze me how often I hear a desperate plea from a dance studio owner, “I’ve been trying to find a talented, reliable, dance teacher, and I have had no luck! Help!” This is why my company, Kiner Enterprises Inc., exists in the first place, and why a dance teacher staffing agency is the wave of the future.

But, I digress…

If it’s so difficult to find great teachers, it only makes sense that dance studio owners should be doing their best to retain their current teachers, and show them that they are appreciated.

Just think, most dance teachers work part-time, have multiple jobs, may still be performing, but yet, tend to feel forgotten and unappreciated by their employers. I mean, other than their hourly pay, they don’t get much else as far as perks: no health benefits, no 401K, no sick days, no personal days, no vacation days, no bonuses. They don’t complain about this because they love what they do. However, a little show of appreciation goes a long way. Heck, without them, there would be no studio! They help you gain and retain your students, so why not recognize their talent and dedication in a way that is valuable to them.

Don’t wait until the end of the year recital to make a general announcement thanking the teachers. Show them that you appreciate them all year long. Here are some low-cost ideas:

1) Write them a Thank You note or Send them an e-Card.
2) Give them a gift card to iTunes, Amazon.com, American Apparel, or Capezio.
3) Bring their favorite dessert or food to class.
4) Give them 2 Free Movie Passes or tickets to a Broadway or Off-Broadway show.
5) Create a Bulletin Board that highlights a specific teacher (periodically) with interesting facts about that teacher, and a place for students/parents to write nice comments about that teacher.

Stay tuned for Kiner Enterprises Inc.’s “Dance Teacher Appreciation Day” on May 1st, during National Dance Week, the same day we announce the winner of the , “America’s Best Dance Studio Contest 2009” Want to enter the contest? Click here, www.abdsc.com.

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