Thread: How do you know you're ready for teaching?

Not getting into my story yet, I am just curious how you knew, how you started?

Many dancers are unsure, and depend on the confidence from having a senior dancer tell them they're ready--for example, if your teacher asks you to sub for her or teach something from your personal repertoire to the class/troupe. Here are some general questions for any potential new teacher to consider:

How long have you been dancing? Even if you're a natural dancer and have an intuitive, charismatic stage presence, unless you grew up in the dance, it's unlikely you will have accumulated the amount of knowledge you need to start teaching in under 3-5 years.

Do you go to intermediate- or advanced-level workshops? Can you keep up, or are you looking around the room and feeling utterly lost and completely outclassed? Are you minimally proficient in more than one style outside of your concentration? How much do you know about music?

Where do you live? This doesn't excuse inferior teaching, but standards are lower in off-the-beaten-path places. If you're just barely past the beginner stage, then you can't expect to be a smashing success as a teacher in places like NYC and San Francisco, where they have a high concentration of master teachers.

Is your market already saturated with pros? If there are already more teachers and bellygrammers than students to support them by studying from them, it'll be a harder route to building a customer base. A teacher has to be very good and hard working to make a dent in the local scene, and the more crowded it is, the more commitment it takes.

Do you already have a presence at local events? Do other dancers know who you are and think well of you as a dancer and as a person? The classic rule used to be, "Are you good enough to solo?" If you aren't good enough to dance on stage by yourself, you're not good enough to be the only person dancing in the front of a classroom.

Can you do both improv and choreography? Do you understand your own dancing at a conscious level so that you can effectively choreograph dances for students? If you are not accustomed to thinking about movement breakdown, timing, and weight shifts in a manner that beginners can understand, your students may become confused and disenchanted with your teaching style.

Do you understand the importance of approaching teaching as a business? Are you prepared to deal with the nuts and bolts of acquiring studio space, advertising, insurance, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and so on?

Are you ethical? Do you understand and accept why other dancers get upset about undercutting for jobs, why it isn't okay to pass off another dancer's choreography as your own ideas, and that it's illegal to duplicate and distribute copyrighted media? Are you willing to set a good example for your students?

Have you thought about why you really want to teach? Is it an emotionally healthy reason?

Very good questions!

Yes, thank you for the awesome and well thought out post.

I don't think I am ready. I am confident soloing (but have taken a year off and am redeveloping my style and confidence)

I am currently working on technique and learning more about history and music structure so I am not fooling myself that I am ready *yet*, but it is what I really want to eventually do. My reasons for wanting to teach one day stem from my wanting to spread the joy of the dance, and I love working with people, and am gifted in teaching (I currently lead classes in non dance related things) It brings me joy, I don't think I want to teach for unhealthy reasons. I will consider it though, there is plenty of time.

I started lessons when my son was a baby and he is 14, but they were on and off. I learn quickly and practice a lot, but had several years where I didn't dance at all. I have been back in it intensely practicing and taking lessons for the past 3/4 years (not including last year) I am known in my town, and before I took the year off, I was performing regularly, but mostly haflas and a few parties.

gtg for now, but I will consider your post carefully <3

Originally Posted by Kellygirl

My reasons for wanting to teach one day stem from my wanting to spread the joy of the dance, and I love working with people, and am gifted in teaching (I currently lead classes in non dance related things) It brings me joy, I don't think I want to teach for unhealthy reasons. I will consider it though, there is plenty of time.

Those sound like perfectly fine reasons to want to teach, and if you're already a teacher in another capacity, then that helps reinforce the idea that you're not stumbling blindly into it in a fit of jealousy, indignation over how your current teacher is repressing you, or outright delusions of greatness. Sadly, some dancers do embark on a teaching career under those circumstances, although they don't tend to have the modesty and forethought to ask for opinions before doing so.

Speaking of which, I'll add one more point about ethics to my list above (not implying it's directed at you, but for general completeness of the list)...

Originally Posted by Kellygirl

I don't think I am ready.

Something you might want to think about doing now to prepare yourself for the future time when you're ready to teach is to seek out knowledge about safe exercise physiology. For example, you could pursue a certification in AFAA group fitness. Doing this (and keeping the certification current) would give you flexibility in places that would accept you as an instructor. Gyms often require such a certification even for belly dance.

You might also want to check whether there are classes at your local community college or adult education program on how to start and run a small business.

shira brings up an excellent point, as many '6 week wonder' teachers and dancers who have danced maybe a year or two aren't adept at understanding or conveying physiology......one needs to understand the body, how the muscles and skeleton relate, proper alignment to avoid injury, warming up, etc......and shira's suggestion on certification is excellent, because that will give you much of that background, as well as classes on kinesiology, physiology, etc.

I started to teach AFTER having a professional career in belly dancing that lasted over 2 decades. I chose to teach because I think I have something valuable to offer and I love the dance.

I personally,if I had to make a choice would still rather perform than teach. Peforming is easier, and pays better.

Teaching takes a lot of work. You can't teach every student the same way. Everyone has different learning styles, different needs. You have to deal with different personalties. What helps me deal with it all is people immediately recognize that I'm a professional and I know what I'm talking about. It stops a lot of the bull**** at the front gate. I think it takes an experienced dancer to be a successful teacher. How can you teach if you don't know the subject you are teaching?

A good teacher needs to be a good observer and needs to know how to communicate. There is no substitute for experience.

I've had students who first took a belly dance class with a 6 week wonder. After 1 class with me they come up to me and tell me that it is obvious to them now that the first teacher didn't have a clue and obviously wasn't a professional.

Some people are okay with that. Maybe they work in a market that tolerates that. Today I watched some peformance videos of some instructors who were highly marketing themselves based on their ethnicity or geography. I shudder to think they are out there teaching when their performance was amateur at best. They just perpetuate the cycle of bad dancing.

I was happy to discover one video of a student who somehow managed to surpass the teacher. Kudos to her.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Something you might want to think about doing now to prepare yourself for the future time when you're ready to teach is to seek out knowledge about safe exercise physiology. For example, you could pursue a certification in AFAA group fitness. Doing this (and keeping the certification current) would give you flexibility in places that would accept you as an instructor. Gyms often require such a certification even for belly dance.

You might also want to check whether there are classes at your local community college or adult education program on how to start and run a small business.

Yes, definitely get a fitness certification & also learn about business. Read all the bhuz threads about teaching, and any info you can about B.D. or any dance teaching. Safety is a huge concern.
I got into teaching Belly Dance in the early 90's after 10+ yrs of studying & performing in a professional troupe and as soloist. My teacher [Dance Educator of America (D.E.A.) certified, with her own studio & also an instructor in a university dance program] started turning over her beginner classes to me; I apprenticed to her. I already had a B.A. in Education/Secondary English w/ art minor & had done non-B.D. teaching. A few yrs later she retired & turned her biz over to me. I went on to get my own certificates & joined a State Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance Association.
I loved Bellydance from the getgo and had done folk dance & other dance studies from childhood and have Turkish relatives; we would dance a lot at family stuff. So when I started formally studying B.D. I was in heaven! I had found my passion. I didn't really think about becoming a teacher; I started a long time ago & teachers of B.D. were on a pedestal! as they were few and far between. I felt incredibly lucky and honored when my teacher suggested I teach.
If you feel you have a calling to teach, go for it. It is incredibly rewarding. Naturally there are down sides too, as with any avocation or career. I still enjoy it after years. Study, study, study as much as you can both by reading and taking dance classes. Stay humble and keep learning. I feel teachers should also have a strong performing history. Do you have a teacher? Would she guide you? You need nerves of steel, the patience of a saint, a good sense of humor, a sense of integrity & sincerity, and the ability to be personable but able to draw boundaries! Well, you don't have to be these things, but it helps keep your sanity if you keep this in mind!

Norma, I was writing same time as you! Loved your post :-) And Tourbeau you def win award for most thorough comments!!

I don't have a whole lot to add, since Tourbeau and Shira both hit on some key points.

But I did want to throw this into the pot for soul-searching purposes: it's absolutely OK not to teach.

Please don't get mad at me for overstating the obvious, but many of us enter our dance careers with this pre-existing, cookie cutter idea of an "ideal career path," when the reality is that there's no such thing. We all must measure success against our own yardstick. Do you really want to teach? Or do you believe that teaching is some sort of logical progression that follows hafla dancing, restaurants, and private parties (in that specific order)?

When I was a fledgeling pro, about 2-3 years ago, I started teaching almost immediately after I put myself out on the performance circuit. All of my peers who had just gone pro were doing the same thing, and my teachers encouraged me to do it, too. No harm, no foul, right?

A few months into my teaching experience, I found myself feeling more frustrated than anything. I had developed into a charismatic performer, but I could not make my lesson plans engaging if my life depended on it. I stunk at choregraphies and got frustrated breaking things down. I had a stressful 9-5 at the time, and always showed up to class feeling burned out rather than excited. I began to feel very, very guilty about the possibility that my lack of enthusiasm might have turned my students off to belly dance!

When my class attendance began to tank, I did a bit of soul searching and discovered that my true passion is being in front of people and performing at private events. Around this point, I also realized that I wasn't really a fan of dancing in restaurants, either. It was so liberating to let go of my pre-existing ideals and finally do what I loved! Someday, I might decide to give teaching a go. Til then, I have not regretted that decision.

Teaching might be a nice source of supplemental income, and it can be fun. But if you're not ready, or if you don't feel confident in front of a classroom, your students will pay the price. They might either quit, or tell their friends that belly dance is boring/too easy/lame, or they could get injured if you don't teach proper technique.

You CAN be a successful dancer even if you're not teaching. Some people are stellar performers and lackluster teachers, or vice versa. While teaching and performing require the same movement vocabulary, teaching requires several specific skills and personality traits: patience, selflessness, the ability to explain the most complicated movement in a simplistic manner. Even if you lack those traits, that does NOT mean you are a bad dancer.

I posted almost the same exact thread about 2 years ago....let's see if I can dig it up!

Just for fun, here's the thread I posted way back when I was questioning the teaching issue. Some of the responses were wonderful:

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/business-b...ost-ahead.html

Thanks so much guys :) I will go back and read that old thread as well as soon as I finish this response.

I think I will pursue fitness certification. I hold no ideas that I am actually ready to teach, I just have that yearning (always) and am doing a bit of soulsearching myself around myself in this dance world and where I fit in.

I am really into fitness and have thought in the past about getting fitness certified anyway, I really think I will now. I need to start now to think about what I have to offer that is unique. I don't want to compete with the other teachers around, but do my own unique thing. I have ideas, but need time.

I am just coming off of a years hiatus, and really don't feel confident enough yet, but if I start setting goals now it will do alot to help me figure this thing out down the line :)

Originally Posted by Kellygirl

I am just coming off of a years hiatus, and really don't feel confident enough yet, but if I start setting goals now it will do alot to help me figure this thing out down the line :)

That's the best way to go. Figure it out, and don't be surprised if your goals change along the way. That's a good thing!

Originally Posted by norma

I was happy to discover one video of a student who somehow managed to surpass the teacher. Kudos to her.

*Somehow*? :)

I would hope that teachers give their utmost to ensure that their students are inspired and encouraged to develop to their maximum, and yes, if this means surpassing the teacher, then of course!, whether it be in technique, performance, teaching, etc.

I can think of three ultra-talented students who have moved beyond my initial teaching and guidance and I look forward to seeing them on DVDs at some point in the future. Kudos to them!


Khalida

Originally Posted by Kellygirl

My reasons for wanting to teach one day stem from my wanting to spread the joy of the dance, and I love working with people, and am gifted in teaching (I currently lead classes in non dance related things) It brings me joy, I don't think I want to teach for unhealthy reasons.

One of the things to remember is that one can spread the joy of the dance by means other than teaching. One can simply do it by being a good performer, or by taking the time to find ways to talk about what it is you find compelling about the dance to friends and family, or by documenting your experience and journey through the dance for dancers and non-dancers with well-written and thought-out blog or web-page. There are a myriad of ways to share the love of the dance without expressly teaching students.

Originally Posted by ozma

One of the things to remember is that one can spread the joy of the dance by means other than teaching. One can simply do it by being a good performer, or by taking the time to find ways to talk about what it is you find compelling about the dance to friends and family, or by documenting your experience and journey through the dance for dancers and non-dancers with well-written and thought-out blog or web-page. There are a myriad of ways to share the love of the dance without expressly teaching students.

Excellent point!

Great thread as I am considering diving into teaching, I'm probably going to end up starting a new thread, but any tips on cold-calling/emailing studios that don't have currently have bellydance classes?

Originally Posted by sharifeh

Great thread as I am considering diving into teaching, I'm probably going to end up starting a new thread, but any tips on cold-calling/emailing studios that don't have currently have bellydance classes?

Write out a one-page brief on:
- What is bellydance (keep it short!)
- Why bellydance can offer to (a) their students (b) their studio business
- What you propose to teach/offer (not just class content, but think of course length, whether it'll be drop-in vs session)
- Why you should teach it

Plus a page bio on you - your dance experience, teaching experience, qualifications, other relevant skills/qualities.

You can try sending this all with a cover letter and saying you'll call in two days (and then do so!). Even if you don't send this piece of paper out, summarising that info will be invaluable when it's time to sell your proposal.

I did this years back when first approaching gyms and universities to start teaching. It worked!

I really enjoyed reading this thread! Very interesting points were made by everyone. Although I do not feel qualified to teach belly dance at this point, I must admit that I do think about pursuing a teaching career in this dance sometime in the future. I will definitely keep these points in mind when the time comes.....

Hi Kelly! (funny my name is Kelly too! LOL)

You may also want to consider Hadia's 3 level certified Middle Eastern Teacher Training Courses & Certification. She brings 39 years of experience, and in depth anatomical information based on her experience in the field of Advanced Massage Therapy.

This course will not only educate you on dancing effectively using "body logic" - meaning dancing in a way that your muscles were logically meant to move in, but you can pass this info onto your future potential students. This training will also help you in your own dancing.

I have done all three levels and will be getting my full certification soon, and everyone I know who has taken this training has said that it has changed their dancing dramatically.

Here is her website!

Hadia's New Site

Good points so far - actually have good training in the dance - both in years plus a range of different teachers, have some knowledge of different styles and cultural back ground. Study how the body works so you can be safe and also know how to get the body to do what it needs to do (eg know what a stretch is, how to determine if it is needed and how to achieve it)

What seems to be missing is some training in teaching. It isn't instinctual. You need to learn about different learning styles, course and lesson planning etc. You need feedback from someone with experience in teaching to talk over what you plan to teach - and how - and watch you in the class (perhaps with someone else's students for a one off). Ideal would be a course in teaching dance - but they are not that easy to find or get into. However, many places offer courses in teaching adults.

About every 4 or 5 years Artemis Mourat teaches an intensive on becoming a teacher. She's incredible, has so much experience and knowledge to share. I highly recommend it. She's got one coming up September 12 of this year.
from www.serpentine.org

September 12, a six hour workshop on How to Be a Teacher - including everything from preparing lesson plans, setting up your business, attracting students, handling difficult people and situations and more, everything on the subject from A to Z at Studio Artemis in Maryland. This workshop is only offered every 4 or 5 years and IS NOT open to everybody. You must apply directly to Artemis for a list of prerequisites if you want to attend. Space is limited and it will sell out so register early. Contact Artemis at artemisdances@yahoo.com

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Write out a one-page brief on:
- What is bellydance (keep it short!)
- Why bellydance can offer to (a) their students (b) their studio business
- What you propose to teach/offer (not just class content, but think of course length, whether it'll be drop-in vs session)
- Why you should teach it

Plus a page bio on you - your dance experience, teaching experience, qualifications, other relevant skills/qualities.

You can try sending this all with a cover letter and saying you'll call in two days (and then do so!). Even if you don't send this piece of paper out, summarising that info will be invaluable when it's time to sell your proposal.

I did this years back when first approaching gyms and universities to start teaching. It worked!

thanks so much! It will be hard to keep all that info to one page...but I'll start working on it.

I want to keep it for future referance. This should be a Sticky. It is that good.

Originally Posted by akewa

I want to keep it for future referance. This should be a Sticky. It is that good.

I wholeheartedly agree!

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

About every 4 or 5 years Artemis Mourat teaches an intensive on becoming a teacher. She's incredible, has so much experience and knowledge to share. I highly recommend it. She's got one coming up September 12 of this year.
from www.serpentine.org

September 12, a six hour workshop on How to Be a Teacher - including everything from preparing lesson plans, setting up your business, attracting students, handling difficult people and situations and more, everything on the subject from A to Z at Studio Artemis in Maryland.

It is great that Artemis offers this - and I imagine people will get heaps out of it. But six hours is really only a start. Post-grad High School teacher training is a full year for around here. "Oh, but we only teach dance" - that was 8 papers when I did my certificate - each paper was several hours a week for 6 months. Why I'm pointing this out is that after they do the training they need to stay open for further training opportunities and don't walk away thinking they are done and finished.

I started teaching private lessons after being approached by other dancers who had seen my shows. In both cases, they were already taking classes with other teachers, but wanted to work on something specific with me. I also taught workshops at charity haflis organized by one of them.

Before I started teaching group lessons, I took a formal teacher training course with my mentor (who is an M. Ed), and then did a 9-month apprenticeship with her.

Both were incredibly useful. I learned so much about lesson planning, teaching to different types of learners, business, and logistics. If you have the opportunity to student-teach, I highly recommend it.

Originally Posted by jmdruadh

If you have the opportunity to student-teach, I highly recommend it.

I agree!

My mentor was my mom and my "classroom" was real life -- both for teaching and for performing. I have also been a corporate trainer, so that definitely helped in the "professionalism" department.

Deborah