Master your coaching.
Build credibility.
Change someone’s story.
For aspiring and established instructors
Get the skills, strategy, and support to guide any student who walks into class and teach with impact.
If you’re looking for a quick weekend certificate or copy-and-paste teaching scripts, you won’t find them here. We focus on thoughtful, student-centered coaching that requires curiosity and engagement.
If you want to become the kind of teacher who makes a difference…welcome! This course will help you shift how you think about aerial instruction using an informed and creative approach.
Our program is recognized by American Circus Educators.
Our curriculum is shaped by decades of discovery and teaching knowledge from the founders, distilled into one program.
With over a thousand graduates, our program is widely recognized for its long-standing commitment to high-quality aerial education.
A growing community of instructors from 20+ countries who learn, connect, and evolve together.
Go from blank stare → to crystal-clear plan
Deep Dive into Technique
Take a deep dive into the execution of the movements to understand the HOW and the WHY behind the technique. This approach helps to broaden what “good technique” can look like so it can fit real bodies and foster artistic expression.
You’ll learn through both physical practice and intellectual understanding, building a skillset that helps you clarify your own movement and communicate it effectively to your students. With this approach, technique becomes a tool for progress, not a pressure to look a certain way.
“I can’t remember the last time I learned so much, on so many different levels, in such a short period of time.”
Master your Teaching Craft
Being a good aerialist is not the same as being a good aerial coach. The craft of teaching is its own art form. Inside the program, you’ll get a fully stocked coaching toolbox so you feel 100% prepared for that next coaching opportunity. You’ll get all the “behind-the-scenes” strategies that you don’t learn through attending classes.
-
Class management skills
-
Cueing techniques
-
Progressions
-
Curriculum strategies
-
Leadership tools
You’ll also get lifetime access to a ton of resources, including a huge reference library with over 200 videos to help you prep for your classes without stress. Whether you’re brand new or already teaching, you’ll leave feeling equipped to create classes where every student feels challenged, supported, and inspired.
“I honestly feel I have the tools to help others begin their aerial journey. The confidence I now have in myself and my potential as a future instructor is so refreshing to me and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
Your Built-In Aerial Family
This training attracts people who really care about the craft of teaching; curious, growth-minded aerialists who love learning. It’s an amazing community vibe! Your cohort becomes a built-in aerial family, with a WhatsApp group for questions, wins, and connection throughout the program.
You’ll also have a whole team of instructors to bounce ideas off of. They each specialize in different parts of the training and are there to guide you as you go. Because teaching can feel isolating without the right people around you. Instead of feeling like you’re figuring it out alone, you’ll be a part of a supportive group of peers and educators where you can ask honest questions, be each other’s cheerleaders and stay inspired long after the course ends.
“The PDM aerial community is warm, welcoming, and incredibly enriching.”
Creativity & Artistry from Day 1
Creativity is woven into everything we do. With Paper Doll Militia’s roots in performance and theatrical aerials, we strongly believe that you can introduce creativity from the VERY first class. The program gives you a practical toolkit for weaving creativity and artistry into your beginner classes.
You’ll dive into a dedicated creative module packed with explorative exercises, improv prompts, and theatrical tools you can use right away.
You’ll also learn how to bring creativity into your teaching craft, developing the ability to adapt quickly, problem-solve on the fly, and approach challenges with curiosity and play.
“I learned how to push both myself and my students theatrically to express feeling and emotions through performance.”
“The feedback I received has been invaluable and I love that I can continue to speak with anyone on the PDM team for additional mentorship.” – Courtney Harman
Why Instructors (At Every Stage) Call This A Game Changer
From start to finish, it was organized, easy to follow, extremely clear as to what was expected, easy to ask questions, very thorough and positive feedback and the teachers were all so nice and welcoming!
They WANT you to succeed and are so invested in making it happen!
I felt loved and respected throughout the entire process.”
PDM takes great care and shows immense passion for training high-level silks instructors, while also forging a beautiful welcoming community.
Their ability to invoke a space where learners can be supported along the way is clear in Rain and Sarah’s leadership.”
Now, years later, I am beginning a new chapter in my career as an aerial studio owner. The Paper Doll Militia teacher trainings are something I now look for when hiring new teachers.”
After completing teacher training, I had the confidence to apply to studios nearby and moved up rather quickly in my position. I started off as a coach and within a few months I was promoted to director and lead instructor.
I feel that my training with Paper Doll Militia gave me the confidence I needed to better prepare me for teaching and ultimately running my very own program.
I hope to one day open my own studio! Thank you for instilling more than just important cues within me. Paper Doll Militia opened so many doors for me and I know there’s plenty more to come!”
Students notice a difference in my teaching already and I have been receiving lots of positive feedback.
I feel more confident in my knowledge base, knowing that it aligns with best practices in the aerial teaching industry.
It feels good to be a part of the PDM community of teachers. I highly recommend this training for brand new teachers, or for people like myself who have been teaching for 5-10 years already.
I only wish I would have done it sooner.”
