What does NDCA certified mean?

[pygmalion]

Nothing, in and of itself, right?

I'm not trying to start any controversy, here. (Hint: Please don't, either, even if you feel tempted. :wink: )

I'm looking for a teacher in my new area, and found one whose ad says, "NDCA Certified." I thought that NDCA was an umbrella organization that pros join. But actual certifications are done by member orgs.

Or am I remembering things wrong? :?

[SDsalsaguy]

No you are remembering correctly. Teachers are not certified by the NDCA. I'd be very cautious about an instructor making such a claim too... :evil:

[Chris Stratton]

You can look people up on the NDCA website, to see their status (pro, am, etc) under that organization and what certifications they claim from member bodies. There was some noise about some of these being formally expired, etc, but at least it's a starting point

[Larinda McRaven]

I think the vast majority of these claims are not really lies, I think most teachers that say they are certified are simply mistaken and uninformed. I know I used those exact words when I was a new teacher. And the studio where I used to work still uses them. The NDCA does send out a certificate to you each year...so it is a bit confusing.

If there is a teacher you are interested in learning more about, then I would ask them who their teaching credentials come from. Be aware that information on the NDCA website is self-entered...so as Chris said, they are claims and I could post that I have all sorts of accomplishments and credentials that are false.

[pygmalion]

Yes. Actually I was thinking of the term "NDCA certified" as a reasonable place to start asking questions.

Understanding of NDCA, what it does and what it doesn't do, is pretty fuzzy, even among those "in the know." So it can't hurt to ask. 8)

[KevinL]

"NDCA Certified" doesn't really mean anything. Anyone can pay a small fee to become a NDCA registered dancer, but that doesn't say anything about their qualifications to teach.

The person might just be confused, though. They might be certified through an NDCA approved member organization and think that means they are NDCA certified.

[Purr]

The NDCA has a pamphlet on their website, Choosing Your Ballroom Dance Instructor. It recommends asking the following questions of a potential dance instructor:

:arrow: Is the instructor certified by a member organization of the NDCA?

:arrow: Is the facility suitable with proper floors and music system?

:arrow: Is the instructor's teaching schedule compatible with your time availability?

:arrow: Does the instructor provide you with clear cut cancellation policies, and billing procedures, etc. in writing?

:arrow: Does the instructor help you to set realistic goals without promising unattainable results?

:arrow: Does the instructor exhibit good listening skills and communicate well?

:arrow: What is the longevity of the student population?

:arrow: If competition ballroom dancing is your goal, does the instructor particpate in performance and/or competitive teaching?

I also suggest suggest talking with other students, both of the particular instructor you're considering and of the student in general, to get an idea of what the studio is like.

[Porfirio Landeros]

I've seen a few pro's actually put their NDCA number on their advertisements, or brandish their membership certificate on their teaching portfolio, when as Kevin said, all that it means is they paid their dues.

It's funny, because the NDCA actually ships you a certificate that even looks official and frame-able. I should hang my Amateur competitor certificate at work, so I look like a Dr. or something.

[pygmalion]

I really don't hold it against ballroom teachers that they use the NDCA-certified label. Heck. At least it means they're conscious of the need for some sort of credential.

I do find it a little ... disquieting ... how many students have no clue of what the various credentials mean (or, in this case, don't mean.) :?

[Chris Stratton]

From a certain perspective, it's actually the NDCA amateur certification that holds meaning - because an amateur who breaks the teaching income rule gets "demoted" to pro status!

This is of course very different from certification by one of the NDCA-member teaching organizations.