New Instructor Advice

[ALOD]

I am in training to become an instructor at a local studio. I would be interested in any advice that I can get. What have instructors done to both 'turn you on' and 'turn you off'.

"Get a real job" has already been given. Thanks Dad...

[Sagitta]

Welcome to the forums ALOD!! :D

There are quite a few good threads that you could browse here in the dance forums, using our search function on top right hand of screen.

A couple threads that I can think of...

What makes a great group lesson? (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?topic=591)
I think that the elements of a group lesson discussed here are right on the money.

What is the role of a dance coach? (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1740)

Then since you have started dancing as a possible career I couldn't resist throwing this in:
Making a living as a dance pro (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1738)

[borikensalsero]

Welcome to the forums Alod. :D

The one thing that absolutely turns me off is to sense money hunger in an instructor.

[pygmalion]

Welcome ALOD. :D Let me give this some serious thought, then I'll come back and post. In the past two and a half years, I've had a bunch of dance teachers -- ten or eleven, I think. I lose count. But three of them were brand new to ballroom. One had a background in hip hop, one country, and one ballet/martial arts. Anyway, I'll think about my experiences with each, then post.

Welcome again. :D

Jenn

[pygmalion]

Hi ALOD. I spent some time thinking about this, and I have some input. I'll probably think of more stuff to add later. I'll try to phrase everything positively. Some of these things I observed because my teachers DID them. Some things I observed because my teachers didn't do them. *shrug*


1. Be dependable. Keep appointments with your students. Be on time as much as possible, especially if that's important to your students.
2. Be aware that you're teaching adults, usually. You may know more about dance than they do, but they can likely teach you quite a bit about other things. Treat them with respect.
3. Many people start dancing to fill emotional holes in their lives. Be sensitive to those needs without being intrusive. Also be careful not to allow yourself to form deep emotional attachments with them or allow them to form attachments with you. You or they are bound to get hurt that way.
4. Know your limitations. Particularly if you're new to ballroom, understand what you know and what you don't know. Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something. You'll look a lot better than if you make up an answer. People can tell.
5. Conversely, be confident about the things you DO know. If you have a dance background, you already know a lot of concepts that DO apply. Be confident.
6. Practice, practice, practice. You'll become a better dancer and a better teacher. Also, a good work ethic shows. Your students will see it and respect you for it.
7. Be aware that it's not just about the dancing. For most people, dancing instruction is about building a relationship that's trusting and comfortable, at least to some extent. A business relationship, but a relationship nonetheless.
8.Be aware that some (many) students will quit on you, and some will not buy the lessons from you. Don't get discouraged. Often, it's not about you at all. Sometimes people's circumstances change. Sometimes they can't afford the lessons. People quit dancing for all sorts of reasons. For you, at least at the beginning, it's a numbers game. Of the students you attempt to cultivate, some will take to dancing, some won't. Don't let it get you down. Building a clientele takes a long time.
8. Dance studios have politics. Big time. Spend your early days in the studio understanding the politics (while you learn to dance!)
9. After you complete your initial training period, take continuing dance education, whether your studio offers it or not. There are dance teachers and coaches out there. It's expensive, but it will pay off for you in the end -- you'll be better, and you'll attract more students.

More later, I'm sure! welcome again.

Jenn

[pygmalion]

Man! I knew I'd think of something more as soon as I hit submit! :x :lol:

10. Take care of your health -- your feet especially, but also the rest of your body. Buy at least two pairs of dance shoes, preferably in different heel heights, and alternate during the day. Eat properly, take your vitamins, and take precautions during cold season. Even if it's expensive and your studio doesn't offer it, get health insurance. Borrow some books on dance injury prevention from your local library.

[DancingMommy]

I'm going to ditto Pygmalion all the way down the line. :)

As far as adding anything, invest in a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer. :) Use it in between each student OR go wash your hands in between with HOT water and soap.

I know this sounds goofy and anti-social, but believe me, you will save yourself A LOT of germs down the road. When everyone else has the flu, you'll be well.

Also, if you *do* happen to fall ill, please please please don't go in to work! And tell your students to cancel a lesson if they have the ickies.

My coach is a competing pro, and he'd much rather NOT have me pass my sicky germs onto him (and then his partner) and maybe cost him a major comp. 8)

Most student WILL understand about the hygiene/hand washing thing. It was one of my coaches who turned me onto it & passed that along to my students when I was teaching.

Be prepared to NOT make a lot of money. If you love dancing enough to have to do this as a career, then by all means GO FOR IT! Just don't think that all the big $$$ that is being paid to the "Studio" is de facto coming *your* way. That's the only down side, but if you can stay in it long enough to get some really good training and become a really good teacher/dancer, then there is hope that you might not need the "day job". ;)

[MadamSamba]

Oh, Pygmalion covered it all, pretty much, but there is one thing I'd like to add.

It might seem irrelevant, but I know it's annoyed and even hurt me in the past. Like Borken said, try not to be money hungry. I realise it's a job, but you're a teacher and whether you like it or not, the fact is that your students will look up to you and care what you think and about how you treat them. I used to hate it when I felt like I was on a production line. My teacher would take my money and, usually, be talking to her next students while doing it...I changed teachers very rapidly, simply because I didn't like feeling like a walking, dancing wallet.

She was a great teacher, but I felt so "used" after my lessons with her, that despite her fabulous skills as a dancer, I preferred to learn with someone who treated me like a human being, rather than a customer.

[Sagitta]

Teaching follows to follow. I found this tip in the "Are club dancers better improvisers?" thread so thought would add it here.

Damon is a good teacher for this kind of thing. He'll often have the follows unaware of when something is going to come (eyes closed, out of the room when he gives the exercise, etc) so that the lead/follow and improvisational element is always there as well as whatever the move du jour happens to be.

[looyenyeo]

Dear Alod,

Perhaps you might want to download this booklet titled "teaching and salsa". A link to it can be found on this webpage:

http://www.salsa-merengue.co.uk/SandMact/wktchcrs.html

It's freely available to everyone interested in dance instruction.

I leave you to be the judge of its usefulness, and wish you all the best.

Regards,
Loo

[pygmalion]

Hi looyenyeo. Welcome to the forums! :D