September 14 - November 8, 2026

Professors: Dr. Elizabeth McPherson and Dr. Dale Schmid

Tuition: $365 member / $465 non-member

8 Weeks; 2 NDEO-Endorsed PDCs

**Optional add-on** College Credits through Oakland University: 2

This course provides students with a useful conceptual framework to inspire thoughtful and informed curricular decisions about the allocation of instructional time and focus in K-16 dance education (elementary school to college) and to reflect on and renew one’s personal teaching practice. The conceptual framework explored is the 10 Pedagogic Content Knowledge (PCK) Skills Clusters that comprise the DELTA (Dance Entry Level Teacher Assessment) stemming from the National Core Arts Standards for Dance.

These PCK Skills Clusters include:

• Performing Dance as an Intentional, Expressive Art Form (guiding principles)
• Choreography (exploring, planning, revising)
• Integrated Approaches to Historical, Cultural & Contemporary Dance Studies
• Dance Language, Literacy & Critical Analysis
• Pedagogical Theory & Practice
• Knowledge of the Learner
• Assessment Literacy
• Evaluation & Reflective Practice
• School-based Policies
• Dance Classroom
• Technical Production

Anyone with an interest in dance education and dance teacher preparation would benefit from this course, from new teachers to seasoned dance education professionals from any teaching environment. It is designed to support and extend dance education content knowledge while expanding personal and professional expertise. 

Book required: None

To receive college credit for this course in addition to PDCs, you must register through Oakland University by scheduling an advising session and finalizing your registration through OU before the August 15 deadline.

Questions about this Course?  Email opdi@ndeo.org

"The course truly made me think - I love that! There were many times during the readings that I had "a-ha" moments that made me evaluate my teaching and what I can do better."

"This course was beneficial to me as a teacher and a program head. I hope to implement many of the aspects learned in this course into the program and to also support myself and my dance faculty's growth as educators of dance."

"I plan to transition from teaching in the studio/classroom to teaching teacher candidates in a teacher preparation program. I loved learning about pedagogical content knowledge and how I can create a course for young teachers with this in mind. This course has opened my eyes to the programmatic changes that need to occur in our current program and course offerings."

"I really liked the course, since what was covered in several areas was very new to me. It also encouraged me to think about what I have done and currently do while teaching my students - self reflection time that I had not spent on myself before."

"This course helped me broaden my ideas and understandings. I feel I am taking away some great tools to implement in my teaching and future programs. Every reading and assignment was helpful and something that I know I will use or come back to in my career."

"The professors gave me very descriptive and detailed feedback on each of my submitted essays and I am very grateful that they were able to respond to me so in depth."

"The self reflection was incredibly helpful and has allowed me to tweak my teaching. The plethora of resources are invaluable and as they continue to change, I hope to stay current with best practices for the classroom, administration and beyond."

Elizabeth McPherson is a Professor, Dance Program Head, and MFA Dance coordinator at Montclair State University. A recipient of  NDEO's Outstanding Dance Educator Researcher award in 2023, she is the author of The Contributions of Martha Hill to American Dance and Dance Education, co-author of Broadway, Balanchine and Beyond: A Memoir, and editor/compiler of The Bennington School of the Dance: A History in Writings and Interviews. Her newest book Milestones in Dance in the USA, an edited collection designed for dance history courses, received the Ruth Lovell Murray book award. She is currently working on a biography of  Helen Tamiris. Executive Editor of the journal Dance Education in Practice, she has written numerous articles for publications including Ballet Review, Dance Teacher, and the Journal of Dance Education. She received a BFA from Juilliard, an MA from The City College of New York, and a PhD from NYU. 

Dr. Dale Schmid is Associate Professor in Teachers College, Columbia University’s Ed.D. Dance Program, and Arnhold Institute for Dance Education Research, Policy & Leadership Research Fellow. He co-manages NDEO’s Connected Arts Network and serves as Senior Advisor to NDEO’s DELTA. He also sits on advisory boards for the Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning and Joy 2 Learn Foundation. Dr. Schmid is a Past President of NDEO and SEADAE, and former Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator for New Jersey’s Department of Education. A contributing author to key national publications—including National Core Arts Standards, NDEO’s Standards for Learning and Teaching Dance in the Arts (2005, 2011), Professional Teaching Standards for Dance in Arts Education (2005, 2011), and K–12 Model Program Standards (2005, 2011)—his upcoming chapter, “Assessment as a Pedagogical Tool and Research Method for Programmatic Evaluation,” appears in Intellect’s Handbook of Dance Education Research (Sept. 2025). 

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