Dance Team Coach

Louisa-Muscatine Athletics is seeking a Dance Team Coach for the 2026-2027 school year.
 
QUALIFICATIONS:       

1. Under the direction of the Activities Director, an Athletic Head Coach instructs and works with athletes to prepare them for competition. The dance coach leads, trains, and mentors a school's dance team. Responsibilities include choreographing routines, running practices, coordinating performances for sporting events and competitions, and ensuring safety. They are also responsible for fostering teamwork, maintaining academic/behavioral standards, and handling team administration.  They focus on developing technique, performance quality, and physical fitness while serving as positive mentors and leaders.  Coaches are experts on the rules, strategies, and techniques of their sport and must also know about sports equipment, physical fitness, and safety.   
2. Previous dance experience/coaching is desirable.  Knowledge and background in dance is preferred.  
3. CPR/First Aid certification, concussion training, Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter and completion of state or district-mandated background checks will be required.

 
SKILLS:

1. Human relations skills are essential.
2. Good attendance is essential.
3. Knowledge of overall operation of an athletic program.
4. If not a certificated teacher, a current state coaching/activities supervision certificate is preferred.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents; skill in oral and written communications.
6. Must possess some knowledge of the rules, regulations, strategies, and techniques of the sport.
7. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school administrators, parents and students.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Choreography & Instruction: Design, choreograph, and teach engaging routines tailored to the skill level of your dancers.
2. Practice Management: Develop and lead training sessions focused on warm-ups, drills, technique, and skill-building exercises.
3. Team Leadership: Mentor student-athletes, encouraging both their physical growth and personal development. Establish and enforce team rules, discipline, and codes of conduct.  Foster a positive, inclusive, and motivating team environment that builds discipline, coordination, and self-confidence.
4. Event Coordination: Plan and oversee the team's performance schedule, including sideline routines at football/basketball games, pep rallies, and local or state competitions. Prepare dancers for competitions, recitals, and showcases.
5. Administrative Tasks: Manage team budgets, coordinate travel, organize fundraising, and order uniforms.
6. Safety & Compliance: Monitor the physical safety of dancers during practices and performances. Ensure the team follows all school district policies and state athletic association guidelines.
7. School Relations: Communicate effectively with athletic directors, school administrators, parents, and booster clubs.

 
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Human relations skills are essential.
2. Good attendance is essential.

 
REPORTS TO:   Activities Director, Building Principal
 
JOB GOAL:       To plan, organize and implement an appropriate instructional program in a secondary learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their athletic potential. Work is performed under the supervision of the activities director and building principal.
 
 
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITES:
The following standards and criteria are the basis for evaluation of all Iowa teachers.
 

1. ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNICATION.  The coach:
   1. Communicates information regarding expectations, practices, competitions, and other events with parents, players, and administration in a timely manner.
   2. Conducts orientation programs for parents, athletes, and assistant coaches.
   3. Develops procedures and establishes open communication with parents and athletes to address any issues or concerns related to the team.

1. ADMINISTRATIVE.  The coach:
   1. Manages the ordering, inventory, repairing, and cleaning of all sport specific equipment.
   2. Works with the Activities Director in making arrangements for transportation to away games.
   3. Implements and follows all Iowa High School Athletic Association (IAHSAA) and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU), district, state and school athletic codes, rules, and philosophies.
   4. Ensures completion of yearly physical exams and existence of insurance by and for each athlete.
   5. Works with the Activities Director, Counselors, and School Office to confirm both the residential and academic eligibility of each athlete.
   6. Distributes team rosters, contest schedules and contest locations to all players, school staff and parents/guardians.
   7. Monitors athlete class attendance, behavior and academic progress.
   8. Works with the Activities Director to establish set practice times and locations.
   9. Supervises and directs activities of any assistant coaches.
   10. Ensures quality, effectiveness and validity of any oral or written correspondences with the media.
   11. Works with the Activities Director to determine and procure any team awards.

1. TRAINING AND PREPARATION OF ATHLETES.   The coach:
   1. Teaches sports techniques, playing rules, strategies and playing tactics.
   2. Practices with clear objectives and goals.
   3. Conditions athletes appropriately for activities requiring endurance, strength and agility.
   4. Supervises and conducts practices and contests safely; supervises locker rooms and vehicles.
   5. Teaches sportsmanship, cooperation, work ethic and responsibility to one's team.
   6. Responds to player injuries with approved first aid techniques.
   7. Models appropriate behavior and sportsmanship in and out of the athletic arena.
   8. Provides coverage for absent coaches.
   9. Provides positive motivation.
   10. Disciplines players as necessary in accordance with team, school, district, league, and state rules.
   11. Selects, directs and monitors activities of any team managers.
   12. Confers with medical personnel for proper approval prior to allowing any injured player to return to athletic activity.

1. COACHES' CODE OF ETHICS.  The coach will:
   1. Exemplify the highest moral character as a role model for young people.
   2. Recognize the individual worth and reinforce the self-image of each team member.
   3. Encourage and assist team members to set personal goals to achieve their highest academic potential.
   4. Create a set of training rules for athletes which reflects the positive values of abstaining from the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
   5. Strive to develop the qualities of leadership, initiative and good judgment in each team member.
   6. Communicate and interpret program goals and objectives to parents and community.
   7. Provide a safe environment for practice and competition.
   8. Respect the integrity and judgment of the game officials.
   9. Be modest in victory and gracious in defeat.

1. ENGAGES IN PROFESSIONAL GROWTH.  The coach:
   1. Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning.
   2. Works collaboratively to improve professional practice and learning.
   3. Applies research, knowledge, and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice.
   4. Establishes and implements professional developmental plans based upon the teacher needs to the Iowa Teaching Standards and district/building student achievement goals.
   5. Provides an analysis of student learning and growth based on teacher-created tests and authentic measures as well as any standardized and district tests

1. FULFILLS PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITEIS ESTABLISHED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.  The coach:
   1. Adheres to board policies, district procedures, and contractual obligations.
   2. Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct as defined by state law and individual district policy.
   3. Contributes to efforts to achieve district and building goals.
   4. Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for all learners and staff.
   5. Collaborates with students, families, colleagues, and communities to enhance student learning.

1. Will perform other duties as assigned.

 
WORKING CONDITIONS: 
Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
 
EVALUATION:  
Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Activities Director in accordance with the Iowa Department of Education guidance.