Teachers, Instructors and Coaches

We seem to be using these three terms pretty interchangeably. But I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've come to the conclusion that what I have is a (good) coach. I'll tell you why later in the thread.

Just curious -- do you think there's a difference between a dance instructor, and dance teacher, or a dance coach? If so, how can you tell the difference?

Hi Jenn. Just saw this one. Yes, these terms are used interchangeably, I guess I would break it down if I had to like this:

Anyone can be a dance instructor per se. I think of them as someone who has been trained at a particularly dance studio or learned a particulary dance pretty well and is able to relay to others.

A dance teacher is someone who has "formal" education by attending college or an accredited dance school. Usually concentrates in the history, philosophy, etc. of dance.

A dance coach is someone who has formal education (although not always) and is a professioal coach for competitions etc. Usually these types have years of expertise and technical ability.

I could be wrong and it's just my opinion but I thought I'd throw it out there.

I've been called instructor, teacher and coach.

I've also been called a swing therapist, lindy guru, blues maven, and funk dealer.

What is in a name? Would my swing out not still be as sweet? 8)

In my opinion teacher and instructor mean the same thing, they tell you what to do, how to do it, maybe show by example. While a coach would tell you to do your thing, and then point out what you can improve/change/work on. One person can be a coach at some times, and a teacher at others.

Hmm. I STILL think I have a coach. His stated (and demonstrated) goal is to make his students self-taught. He gives the principles, while I apply them. That makes ME the teacher. His job is to do a high-level assessment of my performance, and add his comments as necessary. That makes him the coach.

To me, instructor is a franchise studio term for newbie teacher trainees. *shrug* What does anybody else think?

pygmalion said:

Hmm. I STILL think I have a coach. His stated (and demonstrated) goal is to make his students self-taught. He gives the principles, while I apply them. That makes ME the teacher. His job is to do a high-level assessment of my performance, and add his comments as necessary. That makes him the coach.

To me, instructor is a franchise studio term for newbie teacher trainees. *shrug* What does anybody else think?

Click to expand...

I agree with you pygmalion. The coach is the "eye" outside the dancer/dancers. And for the instructor term, I've seen employment ads: "Dance Instructors Needed: No Experience Necessary." so I think anyone can be an instructor. I've also been in situations when the instructor was learning at the same I was. :shock: The education and/or experience determines whether you're a teacher or coach.

Yup, peachexploration. And what I mean by self-taught, at least as I understand it, is this. My coach gives me the tools and principles so I can catch and correct my own errors whether he's around or not. So I become my own teacher. I can reinforce good stuff, catch bad stuff, and make my own discoveries. Pretty cool. 8)

This is totally unlike teachers I've had in the past who wanted me to learn everything during lessons with them. These folks could teach, but didn't know how to enable me to teach. They kept me dependent on them.

Incidentally, d nice, from what I've heard, that makes you a coach. Either that, or swing swami! :lol: ( I LOVE teasing you! :lol: )