This year ( i mean year 2013) I had 3 jubilees - i wanted to celebrate, but never found time. So it was 25 years of dancing, 10 years of dancing particularly salsa and the 3d jubilee i couldn't remember. Now finally someone reminded me - 15 years of teaching.
So, i thought i would share my experience, as 15 years of teaching - is a big period of time. I taught everybody - from 4 years old to very elderly people.
The very first thing to mention - is that doesn't matter how old person is - all students are kids. Same behavior. Why is that? Because here all goes down to psychology. When people face something, what they have to do for the very first time - they behave all same way, doesn't matter what age it is; they got panic/ interest/ stubbornness to learn... - the difference between all those people goes down to types.
I would divide people into different personalities, lets say types - this is what i have seen in the classes during all last 15 years.
PS. - this is my own experience. If some of you who are reading are teachers- you might have your own opinion on students definition.
1. The *mask people*. These are people who want to show that everything come out easily and they can manage. They hide their own real feelings, thoughts in the classes, they don't want to ask, they try to do moves, moves come out maybe not straight away, they struggle, but they do it eventually. These people need a special approach ...it took time, but now i have my own personal secret how to make those people learn without taking their mask off in front of everybody :)
2. Another type - Lets say *Happy people* - they learn and if they do mistake - they don't mind if anybody can see it, they can point out to the mistake by themselves in front of the class; they can talk about their mistakes with everybody and try to find a solution. Here hides a secret of guiding them *how*.
4. The *non relaxing students* - the students who have hard work, and cannot relax at the class. This is hard. They are hard ones. Really hard ones. And they are usually the most quite ones. Here is always also hard to find a way, but after some time - the result - start dancing :)
6. To point out 1 type - is a special type i would say. Usually its 5% of all students - those people have a goal to become great dancers, they are not scared, they try and do all moves, they go on the dance floor, they ask questions - million questions, they Facebook you, they call you, they find you at the party, but they find answer and practice - respect! Here should be again different approach.
7. The special category goes to *try the dance floor* - here all previous categories meet and become 1 big category. *i cant*, *i don't know*, * i will never be able to* - the total *panic department* )) actually just a fear. Here i have 1 big solution :)
8. This category i don't really support - maybe it will sound arrogant, but actually 15 years of experience i hope does allow me to say it - i can see a type. So this type is selfish, want to learn to show off or to feed own ego. As a teacher i do give them same amount of knowledge as they have to get in the class - but not more. I don't want to support the arrogance - as this type learn to shine or to use people for own ego. I prefer to support the real wish to develop.
9. *Exotic style* - don't really learn, as they think they already know nearly everything or a lot. They also try to teach everybody, or to show that the way they dance - is the best way... Here is also special approach - this time i will share my secret approach - i don't teach them!! (because look above - they think they know everything).
10. *new to add: *The question in the students eyes* - I decided to separate this type, as went through all types, and this one doesn't really fit in none of the above mentioned. These students learn, ask very rare, try and practice at home (this can be seen, and also when you tell them - *i can see you practice, right?* you get a happy smile in return - precious!!). But happens in the class they just get stuck - they raise the head, and the question runs in the eyes just like led advertisement. When i see them, i remember myself at school - kind of i want to ask, but im not really sure if i can ask. So, what do I do? Secret is: I guess what question runs in their eyes and answer :)
Conclusion (THE MOST IMPORTANT PART nr1) - yes, it took me years, many years. But now looking at all my students - i realize - YES, i DO have approach. If you think you are stubborn student or person - then think that i am 2 times more stubborn teacher - i will eventually find a way to you! its interesting for me to teach, I love my job. I love to see how person comes and then learns, i love to see the happy face in the end of a class when finally the move that wasn't coming out eventually comes out. I dont need your *thank you*, because i see your *thank you* in your face:) But when i get *thank you* personal - i feel very touched, recently I received many of those *thank you* and now i feel old :) hahaha :) just kidding :)
If you ask me where you can learn more - i will always reply. I will tell and suggest teachers/info, according to the style that you like and prefer.
Also (THE MOST IMPORTANT PART nr 2) - i will be ALWAYS thankful to the people around me - those who support me & who support the same idea. I will not tell the names, as this article is *no-names- article*. But - I want to say thank you to those people, as they not only support me, but they also help me to teach other people: not in the classes particularly, but in general - thank you! To mention very important part - my students help me to teach: as much as they learn from me, same much i learn each time more how to teach better. Life is a non-stop development.
Thats why i like saying *my kids* in the classes. Once you came learning - you are back to the best part of your life - when life is interesting (being kids). So i love being your mom :)
... The lifestyle - each finds its own. Mine one is - teaching. And I love it!
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