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TEAMDance Illinois
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TDI JUDGE CERTIFICATION
As TDI continues to establish itself as leaders in adjudication and professionalism, so does our judging certification program. This year, we are currently instituting a five tier certification program. The five tiers are based on levels of training and education within the TDI judging system. These include Student Judge, Certified Level One Judge, Certified Level Two Judge, Master Judge with Endorsements, and Judge Instructor. Also new this year is the institution of Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) for both judges and officials. PLC’s offer additional collaborative learning opportunities between judges and officials within the same areas of expertise. This year, we will offer PLC’s for Artistic Judges, Technical Judges, as well as for Officials (RLO/TPO/HCO).
It is our commitment and goal to provide professional, educated and well-prepared judges at ALL of our TDI competitions. Our judging system has been designed to educate and support the teams through specific feedback that is detailed on the judging sheets. We are looking for those individuals with artistic and/or technical background in competitive and non-competitive dance, poms, flag and guard teams. Potential judges may choose to certify in Artistic Dance, Technical Dance, Artistic Flag, and Technical Flag. They also may choose to train as an Official (Ready Line Official, Time & Penalties Official, Head Contest Official and Tabulation Official).
We have, and will continue to train well-prepared judges through our TDI Academy Class Offerings and offer a FULL SCHEDULE of courses at the Fall Conference in September. If you missed the Fall Conference we will be offering a certification make up day with a limited number of course offerings on Sunday November 8, 2009 at St. Charles East H.S. Click here to register for the Make Up Day.
In 2009-2010 we will offer 30 Regional Competitions, giving TDI Judges and Officials many opportunities. The competition season will run from November through early March. At every competition, TDI will hire a judging team which includes the following:
If you are interested in receiving additional information about becoming a judge or official, click here to complete the judge/official interest form.
2009-2010 Judge Certification Process
To prepare individuals as judges/officials we have developed a program that includes classroom, practicum, and internship opportunities. In addition, once certified, we offer opportunities for continuing education and professional development. Click on the links below for mores specifics about the certification process for each category:
Click here for a printable version of the Judge Certification requirements
Double Panel of Judges
- Artistic Judge (2)
- Technical Judge (2)
- (The judge’s scores will be averaged)
4 Officials
- Head Contest Official (HCO)
- Time and Penalty Official (TPO)
- Ready Line Official (RLO)
- Tabulation Official (TAB)
New Judges - Student Judge
To complete the first tier of the certification process an individual needs to complete classroom hours, mentoring, practicum, and internship as listed below:
Classroom
- J-100 Course: Introductory judging class which incorporates 2009 Practical Updates for New and Returning Judges
- 300 Level Courses : You must take ALL 5 of either the Technical or Artistic 300 level courses, depending on which area you desire to certify in (artistic or technical). There are 5 courses offered for technical and 5 offered for artistic.
- 400 Level Courses: You must take a minimum of ONE 400 level course. There are five dance and two flag offered.
Mentoring
- Mentor with a certified judge for a minimum of a half day
Practicum
- On-Site training with a Judge Trainer for a full day *Note: Additional practicum time may be required for those in need of additional training and will be determined on a case –by-case basis by the Judge Trainers.
Internship
- Internship involves being a paid judge (at partial pay base) for at least half of a contest day
** NOTE: Participation in Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) are optional, but recommended for all Student Judges
Returning Judges
Individuals who have completed training and were hired to judge by TDI are considered returning judges. Implemented in the 2009-2010 year is our new tiered certification system.
Levels are designated by the Academy based on your previous experience and education within the TDI system. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Zajac, V.P. Education and Certification at academy@teamdanceillinois.org
The new system is comprised of the following levels:
For information on your specific level, please click on the links above.
New Officials Certification
TDI offers opportunities for NEW officials to certify in the following areas:
Ready Line Official (RLO)Time and Penalties Official (TPO)Note: Certification as a Head Contest Official (HCO) is not available to NEW Officials as you must be certified and have been hired as a TPO before you become eligible for certification as an HCO.
ALL new Officials are expected to certify in both the RLO and TPO positions. Our goal is to have a team of highly qualified officials that exhibit competency in both areas, and are available for hire in either position.
To complete the first tier of the official’s certification process an individual needs to complete course work, mentoring, and practicum as listed below:
Classroom
- O-100 Course: Introductory Officials class which includes the update course for the upcoming 2009-2010 season.
Online
- TDI Knowledge Assessment: Officials must pass the Knowledge Assessment with a score of 80% or higher
Mentoring: Mentoring will be assigned based on both your availability, as well as contest availability.
- Mentor with a certified RLO for half a day
- Mentor with a certified TPO for half a day
Practicum: Practicum requirements are considered fulfilled when you have trained as both an RLO and a TPO in ALL categories and subcategories. Practicum will be assigned based on both your availability, as well as contest availability. While it is our goal to have you complete your practicum’s in the most timely manner possible, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to train in all categories and subcategories in one contest due to that fact that some contests only offer dance, some dance and TDY, etc. AND we cannot have too many officials training at once.
- On-Site training with a certified RLO in ALL categories/subcategories**
- On-site training with a certified TPO in ALL categories/subcategories**
***Additional practicum time may be required for those in need of additional training and will be determined on a case by case basis by the Official Trainers.
**Categories/subcategories include:
TDI - Equipment: Pom, Open Pom, Short Flag, Tall Flag, Lyrical Flag
- No Equipment: Lyrical, Open Dance, Hip Hop, Kick
TDY (TEAMDance Youth)- Equipment: Open Pom, Open Flag
- No Equipment: Open Dance, Kick, Hip Hop
NOTE: Participation in Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) are optional, but recommended for all Student Officials.
Returning Officials
Individuals who have completed training and were hired to officiate by TDI are considered returning officials. Implemented in the 2009-2010 year is our new tiered certification system.
New for 2009-2010, ALL returning Officials will be expected to become certified as BOTH an RLO and a TPO. Our goal is to have a team of highly qualified officials that exhibit competency in both areas, and are available for hire in either position.
Certification levels/tiers are designated by the Academy based on your previous experience and education within the TDI system. Please contact Shannon Zajac, VP Education and Certification at tdiacademy@yahoo.com with any questions.
Online
- TDI Knowledge Assessment: Officials must pass the online knowledge assessment with a score of 80% or higher
This system is comprised of the following levels:
For information on your specific level, please click on the links above.
Tabulation Officials
NEW TAB Officials:
To complete the Tabulation Officials certification process an individual needs to complete 4 credit hours, which consists of both class time, as well as on-site practicum training.
Classroom:
- TO-100 Course: TDI Tabulation Officials Course
Practicum
- On-site training with a certified Tabulation Official for a full-day that must include the start and end of contest.
Note: Additional practicum time may be required for those in needs of additional training and will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Tabulation Trainers.
RETURNING TAB Officials:
To maintain your Tabulation Official certification, the following yearly requirements must be met:
- TO-209 Course
Note: Additional practicum time may be required for those in needs of additional training and will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Tabulation Trainers.
Certified Judge Level I
To achieve Certified Judge Level I certification, the following requirements must be met:
- J-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Returning Dance and Flag Judges
- For 2009 only: Any 300 level course that you HAVE NOT taken yet in your area (artistic or technical). To achieve this level of certification, ALL of the 300 level courses in your area must be completed. There are a total of 5 artistic and 5 technical courses that correspond to the areas of the judging score sheets
- Any 400 level course that you HAVE NOT take yet. To achieve this level of certification, ALL of the 400 level courses in your area (dance or flag) must be completed. There are five dance courses (Hip Hop, Lyrical, Open Pom, Open Dance, and Pom) and two flag courses (Lyrical and Short/Tall flag) that correspond to each of the competition categories that TDI offers.
- Participation in at least one Judges PLC
To maintain Level I certification, you must complete the following on a yearly basis:
- J-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Returning Dance and Flag Judges
- Take any one elective offered such as any Judges PLC, Keys to Choreography, or participation in any TDI Totally Intense technical intensive
Certified Judge Level II
To achieve Certified Judge Level II certification, the following requirements must be met:
- J-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Returning Dance and Flag Judges
- Cross-training in the area that is NOT your expertise: You must take ALL 5 of the 300 level courses in the area that are NOT in your area of expertise. (If you are a technical judge, you would take all 5 of the artistic courses and vice-versa.)
- Participation in at least two electives, one of which must be a Judges PLC. The other may be another PLC, Keys to Choreography, or participation in any of the TDI Totally Intense technical intensives
To maintain Level II certification, you must complete the following on a yearly basis:
- J-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Returning Dance and Flag Judges
- Take any one elective such as a Judges PLC, Keys to Choreography, or participation in any of the TDI Totally Intense technical intensives
Master Judge with Endorsements
A Master Judge is a judge who has demonstrated competency, has consistently demonstrated best practices within their areas of expertise, and are considered experts. In addition, a master level judge is one who has cross trained in both artistic and technical. Endorsements are awarded to designate each area that a Master Judge is considered an expert in, and are determined based upon evidence of competency within their education and judging experience. This may also include non-TDI education and judging experience. As of this year, the following endorsements are available for dance and flag:
To achieve Master Judge certification, the following requirements must be met:
- Designation as a Master Judge by the Academy Staff based on the above mentioned qualities of a master judge
To maintain Master Judge certification, you must complete the following on a yearly basis:
- J-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Returning Dance and Flag Judges
- Take any one elective such as a Judges PLC, Keys to Choreography, participation in any TDI Totally Intense technical intensives
Dance
Technical Dance Judge
Artistic Dance Judge
TDY– all categories
Hip Hop
Lyrical
Pom
Open Pom
Open Dance
Kick
FlagTechnical Flag JudgeArtistic Flag JudgeTDY – all categoriesTall FlagShort FlagLyrical FlagOpen DrillJudge Instructor
A Judge Instructor is a judge who has achieved Master Judge Certification and has been designated by the Academy as having demonstrated best practices in their areas of expertise, as well as in instructional methods. Through their experiences as mentors, judges, and instructors they have demonstrated their abilities to successfully instruct others in the nuances of their areas of expertise. Designation of Judge Instructor may include experiences and education with the TDI system, as well as non-TDI experience and education.
To achieve Judge Instructor certification, the following requirements must be met:
- Designation as a Judge Instructor by the Academy Staff based on the above qualities of a Judge Instructor
To maintain Judge Instructor certification, you must complete the following yearly:
- J-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Returning Dance and Flag Judges
- Take any one elective such as a Judges PLC, Keys to Choreography, or participation in any TDI Totally Intense technical intensives
Certified Official (RLO/TPO)
NEW for 2009-2010, ALL Officials are expected to certify for both RLO and TPO. Our goal is to have a team of highly qualified officials that exhibit competency in both areas, and are available for hire in either position.
To achieve Certified Official (RLO/TPO) certification, the following requirements must be met:
- O-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Veteran Officials (1 credit hour)
- Participation in at least one Officials PLC
For 2009 only:
****If you have not certified for both RLO and TPO, in addition to the above, you must also fulfill the following:
- Mentor with a certified Official (either RLO or TPO, depending on which position you are certifying for) in all categories/subcategories**
- Practicum: On-Site training with a certified RLO or TPO (depending on which position you are certifying for) in all categories/subcategories. ** Practicum requirements are considered fulfilled when you have trained as both an RLO and a TPO in ALL categories and subcategories. Practicum will be assigned based on both your availability, as well as contest availability. While it is our goal to have you complete your practicum(s) in the most timely manner possible, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to train in all categories and subcategories in one contest due to that fact that some contests only offer dance, some dance and TDY, etc. AND we cannot have too many officials training at one time at any given contest.
- Pass the TDI Knowledge Assessment with a score of 80% or higher
**Note: Additional practicum time may be required for those in need of additional training and will be determined on a case by case basis by the Official Trainers.
**Categories/subcategories include:
TDI
1) Equipment: Pom, Open Pom, Short Flag, Tall Flag, Lyrical Flag
2) No Equipment: Lyrical, Open Dance, Hip Hop, Kick
TDY (TEAMDance Youth)
1) Equipment: Open Pom, Open Flag
2) No Equipment: Open Dance, Kick, Hip Hop
To maintain Certified Officials (RLO/TPO) certification, you must complete the following yearly:
- Practical Update/Recertification for Veteran Officials
- Participation in at least one Officials PLC
- Pass the TDI online Knowledge Assessment
Certified Official (HCO)
To achieve Head Contest Official (HCO) certification, the following requirements must be met:
- You must be a certified RLO/TPO and have been hired as a TPO
- O-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Veteran Officials
- HCO-209 Practical Update for HCO’s: This is an on-site course given at the St. Charles East regional Contest on Sunday, November 8, 2009
- Participation in at least one Officials PLC
- Pass the online TDI Knowledge Assessment with a score of 80% or higher
- Mentor with a certified HCO for full day
- Practicum: On-Site training with a certified HCO in every category/subcategory**, as well as trained from the beginning of a contest day through to the end of a contest day. It is vital that all HCO’s are thoroughly trained in all aspects of the contest day, from start to finish, as well as in every category and subcategory. Practicum will be assigned based on both your availability, as well as contest availability. While it is our goal to have you complete your practicum(s) in the most timely manner possible, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to train in all categories and subcategories in one contest due to that fact that some contests only offer dance, some dance and TDY, etc. AND we cannot have too many officials training at one time at any given contest.
**Categories/subcategories include:
TDI
1) Equipment: Pom, Open Pom, Short Flag, Tall Flag, Lyrical Flag
2) No Equipment: Lyrical, Open Dance, Hip Hop, Kick
TDY (TEAMDance Youth)
1) Equipment: Open Pom, Open Flag
2) No Equipment: Open Dance, Kick, Hip Hop
**Note: Additional practicum time may be required for those in need of additional training and will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Official Trainers.
To maintain your Head Contest Official (HCO) certification, you must complete the following yearly:
- O-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Veteran Officials (1 hour)
- HCO-209 Practical Update for HCO’s: This is an on-site course given at the St. Charles East regional Contest on Sunday, November 8, 2009
- Participation in at least one Officials PLC
- Pass the TDI Online Knowledge Assessment each year
- Participation in HCO conference calls as needed
Officials Master Instructor
An Officials Master Instructor is an official who has been designated by the Academy as having demonstrated best practices as a TDI Official, as well as in instructional methods. Through their experiences as mentors, officials, and instructors they have demonstrated their abilities to successfully instruct others in all areas (RLO/TPO/HCO).
To achieve Officials Master Instructor certification, the following requirements must be met:
- Certified in all areas (RLO, TPO and HCO)
- Designation as an Officials Master Instructor by the Academy Staff based on the above qualities of an Officials Master Instructor
- Pass the TDI Online Knowledge Assessment
To maintain Judge Instructor certification, you must complete the following yearly:
- O-209 Practical Update/Recertification for Veteran Officials
- Participation in at least two PLC’s (one of which needs to be and Officials PLC, while the other may be a Judging PLC)
- Participation in the updating of the TDI online Knowledge Assessment
Click on the logos below to learn more:
