Thread: New instructor - ideas?

Hello all!

I just got a position to teach a bellydance class at YWCA - very interesting program if you haven't heard of it. Basically it's a building with the top two floors as transitional apartments for women overcoming abuse, or hiding from someone. The rest of the facility is a gym for anyone to use.

So I got the job, and I can't wait to start helping these women if I can. Bellydance is so great for their self confidence. Anyway, I have some experience teaching, just filling in for my instructor occasionally. Of course then I would do whatever came to my head. With this class, we are starting from square one and I am making my own "curriculum."

Does anyone have any suggestions for what I should incorporate? I don't want them to get bored, but I also don't want to introduce too much too quickly. What is a good pace, and does anyone have advice for what has worked well and what hasn't?

Thanks :)

Oh, WOW!
That is amazing... Sounds like my dream job, if only it was 35 hours/week (and if I was pro)

I just wanted to congratulate you on getting it, I'm sure it'll be amazing for you and those women.

Originally Posted by _Maeva_

Oh, WOW!
That is amazing... Sounds like my dream job, if only it was 35 hours/week (and if I was pro)

I just wanted to congratulate you on getting it, I'm sure it'll be amazing for you and those women.

Yes! Thanks you! I everyone is as excited as me!

Congratulations!

My first formal teacher taught at the Y. Of course this was back in the Dark Ages. We had a ball - no mirrors but we didn't really miss them -

What style do you teach? That would probably have something to do with your curriculum - example if you want to teach zills or not, or if you are ATS, classical etc -

I introduce one or two new moves each week plus a travelling step. The following weeks we refine the previous moves and use them in simple combinations.

Stick to simple isolations eg hip rock or hip in a circle rather than using layers. Avoid any move that uses a lower back extension eg camels, omis etc until the group has sufficient strength and automatic control.

If you teach a choreography wait until they have some moves under their belt and stick to everyone facing the front until they have it. Then you can get fancy with direction changes.

Good luck

I have a downloadable article on what I teach my beginners at www.jewelbellydance.com.au/articles.php (scroll down to 'What You Will Learn in Jewel's Classes').

I generally teach a few basic moves each week. However, to start, I usually teach quite a few moves - hip flicks, lifts/drops, hip shimmy, shoulder shimmy - and then repeat that again in week two. I do this so they go away from the first class feeling like they've learnt a lot, but still get to consolidate this before moving on. After that, each week I'll review the previous week's work, then add something new. Every few weeks I might slow down the rate of 'new moves' and do something like a combination or improvisation with moves they already know. Again, this is to give time to consolidate and actually dance with what they've learnt.

A lot of teachers like to teach a very basic choreo, a bit each week, incorporating new moves. This might work for you (though I personally like to wait at least one term).

Expect to have a huge learning curve. Teaching is something where, for all the theory or plans you may have under your belt, you'll learn far more on the job. Expect things to pan out differently than you planned, and be flexible enough to recognise your students' changing needs and adapt your plan to it. Good luck, and enjoy yourself!

Congrats, I would love to teach a womens group like that. that is wonderful!
I write a progression plan. teach a couple moves a week and review the fallowing week and then teach a couple more moves. i think make this fun for them just like a fun class to get there mind of of anything stressful or there situation. and don't stress them out with this dance keep it simple and fun.

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

I have a downloadable article on what I teach my beginners at www.jewelbellydance.com.au/articles.php (scroll down to 'What You Will Learn in Jewel's Classes').

I generally teach a few basic moves each week. However, to start, I usually teach quite a few moves - hip flicks, lifts/drops, hip shimmy, shoulder shimmy - and then repeat that again in week two. I do this so they go away from the first class feeling like they've learnt a lot, but still get to consolidate this before moving on. After that, each week I'll review the previous week's work, then add something new. Every few weeks I might slow down the rate of 'new moves' and do something like a combination or improvisation with moves they already know. Again, this is to give time to consolidate and actually dance with what they've learnt.

A lot of teachers like to teach a very basic choreo, a bit each week, incorporating new moves. This might work for you (though I personally like to wait at least one term).

Expect to have a huge learning curve. Teaching is something where, for all the theory or plans you may have under your belt, you'll learn far more on the job. Expect things to pan out differently than you planned, and be flexible enough to recognise your students' changing needs and adapt your plan to it. Good luck, and enjoy yourself!

I like your articles.

Originally Posted by PrincessNadirah

I like your articles.

Thank you! I like writing them.

Thank you ladies! Jewels - your article is very helpful. I've been using all your advice, and word is getting around about my class! Attendance gets higher every time. It's such a great opportunity for me and for these women as well.

Sounds like my dream job too! Congrats!!

I just started teaching a small class as well and while I focus on beginner basics (as above mentioned), I've found that its essential to make the women comfortable in their own skin first (when you think about it belly dancing can seem really intimidating), I focus on a lot of supportive feedback, positive reinforcement and body appreciation. With my own personal passion of women's studies, I like to focus on the motto:"Every woman can belly dance, the movement is already in your soul", I continue by explaining it is a unique form of dance/exercise that works with a woman's body not against it like most forms of dance.

To not be monotonous? Switch it up every week, I always review the basics, but I've started doing combinations (nothing too crazy just a way of showing them how to put movement together). I also stress improv early. There's nothing more that I hate than dancers that have been fed choreography from day 1 and then as an intermediate/advanced dancer expect their bodies to be able to improv at the drop of a hat: it doesn't work that way. Especially with women new to the art form, I highly recommend letting them own the movement with improv. I believe that if you give them basics, combinations, basic prop work (veil, finger cymbals) and a cool down improv section, you can help build self-confidence and self-love faster :) Good luck!

Mariana, that's great advice! I'm going to steal that quote. I love it.