There are two levels of active AAIDT membership for instructors: Registered (Basic) Membership, and Instructor License.
Registered Membership is the first step in a teaching career with AAIDT. No exam is required to register as an instructor with AAIDT at this most basic level. Taking the licensing exam and completing continuing education workshops, however, is greatly encouraged.
Our Instructor License is similar to "Certification" and requires stringent professional qualifications. Unlike other Irish dance organizations, AAIDT does not "certify" our instructors—we license them. Our License is a mutual relationship that benefits both the teacher and the greater organization. Unlike Certifications, our License is subject to renewal and life-long continuing education. This ensures that AAIDT instructors are among the world's best.
All Registered Members have access to our traditional Feiseanna and grade exams. Grade exams provide a tried and true curricular framework for your classes that parallels the expectations of competitive dancing. If you can’t travel easily, or if you want to test out the waters of competition before committing your students to travel, Virtual Feis can give them the opportunity to compete without ever leaving the studio. Their scores even apply to later in-person Feisanna!
AAIDT offers multi-media training materials and workshops to help train instructor candidates qualify for license. Instructor Members qualify for personal and Group-rate discounts on shoes and accessories through AAIDT Pro-Shop. Bulk orders even provide profit margin for instructors! Instructor Members benefit from a community of sharing and mutual support.
In addition to Instructor Licensing, AAIDT offers Continuing Education through multi-media and workshops such as specialized training in pointe/toe work with Certification option. Registered Members have policy voting rights.
As of June 1, 2008, AAIDT requires Background Clearances (within 30 days of membership) and Medical (BLS) Certification (within 60 days of membership) for all Registered (Basic) Members. This training is available at AAIDT workshops and from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross and other community services.
Licensed Instructors must complete extensive Professional Development training that involves child and adult educational strategies, child wellness and customer satisfaction. We strongly believe in the importance of injury prevention and treatment as well as the safety of students.
Instructor membership (Imparts the title of AAIDT Registered Instructor) is $100.00 per year. To register, please fill out our Membership Application.
Once you submit your application, you will be taken to our Thank You! page. Instructions for online payment are on that page. Otherwise, you may request a mailing address or check payment. Thank you!