John

BSc

PGCE

MA (Ed)

LISTD  

CDE

 John was a physics and mathematics teacher for many years and has a BSc in Physics and a PGCE and MA in Education. He taught in a London comprehensive school where he was respectively Head of Physics, Head of Science, Examinations Officer and Assistant Head. He has danced virtually all his life, having initially learnt at the acclaimed Sydney Francis Dance School in Hendon, North London. At about that time he also gained some experience of playing piano in an amateur dance band. Having left science teaching, John has had the time to qualify as a dance teacher with the ISTD, having gained the original qualifications in 2002 and the new CDE qualification in both Ballroom and Latin American dance teaching in 2006. Further, because of his extensive background in education he was asked by the ISTD to act as a Distant Tutor for them to assist other students who need help with their CDE modules. These students usually live in the UK or Europe and are working through the self-study sections of the course and often do not have easy access to an approved dance centre. John continues his professional development via the ISTD and IDTA, has lessons with leading ISTD tutors to maintain his own dancing and is continuing his studies to take further higher examinations. He still works part-time in his old school during the external examination periods and consequently maintains his CRB status via the local education authority. Students say he is an enthusiastic and patient dance teacher, who has a clear lead, but tends to talk too much!

Betty

LISTD  

CDE

 Betty began singing and dancing in primary school and whilst at secondary school had extra-curricula classes in traditional Chinese dance. On finishing school, she joined a Chinese Dance Ensemble, which toured China for about 3 years. She then started work at the Industrial Research Institute in Beijing and, in 1985, went on to the university there to study Law. Betty became interested in Ballroom and Latin American dancing during the 1980’s when it became popular in China. On coming to London in the early 90’s to work as a manager in the Hilton Hotel chain, she started to attend a number of dancing schools in the London area. Keen to improve her dancing she joined the Amateur Medal Test System with teachers from the acclaimed Sydney Francis School of Dancing, and was pleased to find that she was able to go from Bronze to Gold Star level in Ballroom and Latin within one year! Acknowledging this progress, her teachers suggested that she might like to train as a professional dance teacher, since she clearly had the interest and ability and it would provide, at the least, a hobby and perhaps a second career. Betty began training straight away and gained the original ISTD qualifications in 2002. Continuing to train, she passed the Licentiate Examinations in Latin and Ballroom and, after further academic study, she was awarded the CDE in Ballroom and Latin American dance teaching in early 2007. Betty continues her professional development via the ISTD and continues to have lessons with ISTD tutors to maintain her own dancing. Since Betty now works as a manager in a leading independent school in central London, she maintains her CRB status via her school. Students say she has a friendly, relaxed teaching style and a lovely smile.

ISTD Qualifications

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