Movement Mentor® is an adaptive dance program that pairs advanced dance students with students of special abilities for a free weekly dance class.

Movement Mentor® provides teacher and mentor training workshops, a syllabus, and materials for dance schools who wish to offer this program.

No fees may be charged to students or mentors participating in the program.  Movement Mentor’s mission is to provide this dance opportunity free of charge to all involved.  Participating schools may fundraise and/ or accept donations for the program, but no fees are to be charged to the participants.

The licensing includes the following:

• Two-day, six-hour training workshop- A Movement Mentor® certified instructor will train prospective dance teachers in four hours of instruction, one hour of class work with the mentors and teachers, and one hour in a trial class with prospective students and mentors.

• Movement Mentor® Syllabus- complete syllabus for the program. All updates will also be communicated.

• Materials- A recommended supply list, sample activity boards, and activity signs.

• One virtual session after the program begins to help with any questions/ concerns.

• In order to maintain the licensed program, one virtual or in-person evaluation is required at no extra cost 6 months to a year after commencing. After the 6 month evaluation, teachers will be contacted via email to “check in” yearly and complete a short, written evaluation. Any new teachers will need to be certified in the Movement Mentor® Adaptive dance curriculum under the requirements listed below in teacher certification.

• Each school presenting the program will be provided with pre and post class surveys to be issued before classes begin and upon conclusion of a session. These surveys will be used to improve the program and all results will be shared with studio directors.

Details and Fees for Adaptive Dance Teacher Training and Certification

Teacher certification in the Movement Mentor® Adaptive Dance curriculum is available for schools with existing adaptive dance programs or for those who wish to start their own program. Teachers who wish to learn more about teaching students of varying abilities, either for an adaptive dance class or for students in a mainstream class, can also benefit from the teacher training.

Two-day, six-hour training workshop- A Movement Mentor® certified instructor will train prospective dance teachers in four hours of instruction, one hour of class work with the possible mentors and teachers. A trail workshop with prospective students may also be included.

• Movement Mentor® Syllabus- complete syllabus for the program. All updates will also be communicated.

• Materials- A recommended supply list, sample activity boards, and activity signs.

• Teachers will be contacted via email to “check in” yearly and complete a short, written evaluation to maintain certification.

Licensed Movement Mentor Instructors

Jessica Baynes - Faculty, Ballet West Academy

Hannah Box - Hannah Box, Patel Conservatory Dance Faculty, Straz Center Outreach Instructor 

Audrey Dodd - Associate Director of Adaptive Dance, Movement Mentor® Manager, Ballet West

Sarah Emery - Patel Conservatory Dance Faculty

Daisy Jeffers- Instructor, Ballet West Academy

Allison Russell - Instructor and Movement Mentor® Director, Utah Arts Collective

Hannah Willis- Movement Mentor® Instructor, Ballet West

Marlena Abaza- Dance Instructor

Marena Dreiling- Orlando Ballet Teaching Artist

Laurel Allen- Orlando Ballet Teaching Artist

Cyndi Litz- Orlando Ballet Teaching Artist

Emily Davies- Orlando Ballet Teaching Artist

Gabriella Moritz Silver- Orlando Ballet Teaching Artist

Rosemary Saur- Dance instructor

Lisa Buono- Orlando Ballet Teaching Artist

©Copyright 2019 Movement Mentor ® Adaptive Dance, Inc.

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