Class Assistant Program
Weehawken Dance’s Class Assistant Program gives upper-level students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, support younger dancers, and gain valuable experience in the classroom and during performances.
Being a class assistant is a rewarding way to give back, grow as a role model, and be part of what makes our dance community strong and supportive.
Is This Program for You?
We’re looking for students who are:
- Enrolled in upper-level classes
- Responsible, kind, and dependable
- Excited to help others and be part of the team
- Interested in becoming a dance teacher!
If you love working with younger dancers and want to grow as both a student and a leader, this is a great place to start.
How It Works: Becoming a Class Assistant
- Take the Training: Complete the one-time assistant training with Miss Natasha or Miss Val.
- Review the Fall Schedule: Identify which classes you are available to assist.
- Reach Out to Instructors: Contact teachers directly (see contact list here) and ask if they need a class assistant. Be specific about the classes you're available for.
- Schedule a Meeting: If selected by an instructor, schedule a quick meeting with them to review their expectations and ensure you're on the same page.
- Set Up Hour Tracking (if applicable):
- If you are assisting as part of a work trade or scholarship program, email Natasha to be added to the assistant hours calendar.
- Log your hours using #assist + the name of the class (e.g., #assist Ballet 1/2 Monday).
- Make sure hours are entered by the 22nd of each month.
- Timesheets are processed on the 22nd and credited by the 1st.
Required Training
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All new assistants must complete a one-time training with Miss Natasha or Miss Val before starting.
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The training is structured like a class that runs over the course of several weeks, typically offered in the summer. Each session is 1–2 hours long and includes some homework. Topics range from how to be a great leader and give constructive feedback to how to fit costumes and structure a warm-up.
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If you assisted last year and already completed the training, this training is optional, though attending again is encouraged as a refresher. If it's been longer than 1 year since your last training, it is required.
- All assistants must also meet with their class instructor during the first two weeks of the semester to go over class-specific expectations.
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What to Expect as a Class Assistant
Role & Responsibilities
Class assistants help create a positive and consistent classroom environment by:
- Greeting dancers and helping them feel welcome
- Assisting with attendance, props, and class flow
- Demonstrating choreography and helping students stay on track
- Supporting the teacher with transitions, focus, and safety
- Learning class choreography and backstage expectations for performances
- Helping with costumes, lineups, and dancer supervision during shows
After training is complete, assistants may reach out directly to instructors to ask if they have classes that need support. Not all classes will have room for an assistant.
Note on Work Trade & Community Service
- Dance classes must have 10+ students and aerial classes must have 7+ students to qualify for work trade hours.
Because Weehawken is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all assistant hours can count as community service—even if they don’t qualify for work trade.
Tajiana Rueschhoff’s dance journey began at the age of 5 when she first stepped into a small ballet school in Mississippi, sparking a passion that would endure a lifetime. Growing up in Ouray, Colorado, she continued to nurture her love for dance with Weehawken, honing her skills over the years. Travel played a pivotal role in her development, allowing her to train under diverse instructors and immerse herself in various dance styles. Summers were often spent in intensive training at the Kansas City Ballet, further shaping her dedication to dance. Tajiana pursued her passion with pre-professional training at the Northwest Florida Ballet. Now, back in Ouray, she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Geology at the University of Florida while eagerly embracing the opportunity to share her profound love for dance through teaching.
