Arnhold Dance Teacher Support Program

Since 2004, Jody and John Arnhold and the Arnhold Foundation have contributed approximately $2 million to support dance education in New York City public schools. Their generosity has enabled significant mentorship, training, and support for dance educators, increasing the number of the City’s public school students who have access to high quality dance education.

Through this longstanding partnership with the Arnholds, The Fund and DOE are committed to providing high-quality professional learning resources for dance teachers. Enabling the development of an annual cohort of dance educators supports the creation of a cadre of high-quality, experienced dance teachers serving students throughout New York City. Additionally, this work allows for the continued identification and sustenance of promising practices that lead to transformative, system-wide improvements to dance education. 

The Arnhold Dance Teacher Support Program has provided significant mentorship, training, and support for dance educators, increasing the number of New York City public school students who have access to dedicated dance education since 2008. Over the years, the Arnhold Dance Teacher Support Program has:

• Provided free professional development opportunities for first and second year dance educators through new dance teacher supports

• Fully subsidized high-quality professional development provided by the Dance Education Laboratory at the 92Y for new teachers as well as Pre-K teachers participating in the Pre-K for All Summer Dance Institute.

• Provided all DOE dance educators with the opportunity to further develop their dance artistry as performers and choreographers at the Dance Collective Educators Concert

• Offered a tutoring program to assist dance teachers who need further support in dance curriculum writing.

• Supported the writing of dance units to be shared among the dance education community

• Conducted a rigorous evaluation, led by Metis Associates, of all program activities to inform program planning decisions

NYCDOE dance educators across the city have developed curriculum connected to social studies issues as well as literary work thus inspiring students to create and perform original dances inspired by the world around them.

Specific New Dance Teacher Supports exist within the larger Arnhold Dance Teacher Support Program as well. This suite of resources has been designed to stem attrition and connect teachers who are new to the system with their peers and colleagues across the City. Key elements of the Arnhold New Dance Teacher Supports include:

• inter-visitations providing new teachers with the opportunity to observe expert dance teachers in a classroom environment. This exposes new educators to successful instructional practices, which they can then apply in their own classrooms.

• A New Dance Teacher Tool Kit that includes a variety of instructional materials such as books, DVDs, music, and anatomy posters, valued at approximately $1000, supports work in the dance classroom.

• A stipend of $2500 for participating teachers to use for program enhancements such as school visits by guest artists, residencies, partnerships with cultural organizations, and field trips to dance performances.

• Dance education workshops that support best teaching practices and help new dance teacher develop curriculum for their dance programs. 

Teachers receiving Arnhold New Dance Teacher Supports have noted over the years how these resources have helped boost their classroom management skills, broaden their perspective as dance educators, inspired the development of new curricula, and strengthened their teaching practices and collegial relationships.