Topic: What makes a good teacher

[philsmove]

Following on from

what make a good dancer

"What makes a good dance teacher "

How much influence does the teacher have on you decision to attend a particular class


How far are you prepared to travel for a lesson with your favorite teacher

[John Gimber: Webmaster]

A tricky question.

For me, a good dance teacher is one who enjoys teaching dance, enjoys dancing, but realises that dance is often just a tool to let people grow into something more than they were.

Also, a good teacher is one who provides a safe and supportive environment for people to be themselves.

Oh yes, and who values the customers, regardless of their dance ability (or their personal "quirks").

John.

[Karen Mary]

I agree with John!

 

[Nick-J]

To answer the second question first, as somebody who works full time and dances as a leisure activity, I only go to classes at convenient times in convenient places. I wouldn't travel more than 10 miles for a class regardless of who was teaching. Just talking about regular classes here.

Not being into competition dancing or dance politics I'm not aware of the reputations of teachers from outside the local area and that wouldn't effect my decision to attend a class.

I don't really have any favourite teachers. All the classes I go to around Bristol have different styles and I take different things from them. The one thing they have in common is that they are all fun and enjoyable.    However, if I experience teaching from a resident or guest teacher that I don't enjoy, I will avoid classes in the future if I know in advance that teacher is taking them. 

As for what makes a good teacher (of any sort) is someone who conveys a genuine enthusiasm for their subject and concern that their pupils take something positive away from each lesson.

[Pricey]

I had a long conversation the other night with a couple of other dancers about teaching/teachers.  What do people want to learn?  Lots of new moves?  Easy moves?  Difficult moves?  Do people prefer a class to be too hard rather than too easy?  Are people interested in learning technique specifially as technique (eg exercises for spinning, footwork etc) or would they rather it was 'hidden' in amongst the teaching?  Do people like the idea of having, for example, an advanced class once a month, regular (monthly/bi-monthly) guest teachers, a different genre of teaching (tango/latin/blues etc). 

Is a good teacher someone who pushes their classes with advanced moves and technique?  Should a good teacher be offering specialised workshops to cater to this market instead of trying to fit everything into a class?  If people are dancing for fun as a way to relax from life then is a good teacher one who provides 'easy' achievable moves with the real focus being on freestyle and socialising?   

John: I like your comment about a good teacher allowing a person to be more than they were   I also agree with all those who said that a good teacher is passionate about dance.  I think this is true no matter what the subject - the best teachers at school were the ones who were passionate about what they were teaching.   

[philsmove]

I had a long conversation the other night with a couple of other dancers about teaching/teachers.  What do people want to learn?  

Lots of new moves

New moves yes, but not lots, I am more than happy, if I can add one new move a month to my repertoire

Easy moves?  Difficult moves?

Something in between

 

Do people prefer a class to be too hard rather than too easy?

I like the habit that some teachers have, of doing, one easy, one intermediate and one advanced  move, in a lesson
 

Are people interested in learning technique specifially as technique (eg exercises for spinning, footwork etc) or would they rather it was 'hidden' in amongst the teaching?

Generally, I prefer them “hidden”

Do people like the idea of having, for example, an advanced class once a month, regular (monthly/bi-monthly) guest teachers, a different genre of teaching (tango/latin/blues etc).

Yes, but not Tango, which is probably the most difficult dance to try to learn , their already many Tango classes in Bristol But no one is teaching the Blues  

Is a good teacher someone who pushes their classes with advanced moves and technique?

A good teacher will indeed “push” the class, but that does not mean doing advanced moves. Many  people, myself included, have still to truly master some of the basics

Should a good teacher be offering specialised workshops to cater to this market instead of trying to fit everything into a class?

It would indeed be nice, to have some specialised workshops, my vote is for blues

If people are dancing for fun as a way to relax from life then is a good teacher one who provides 'easy' achievable moves with the real focus being on freestyle and socialising?  

A bit of both

[spindr]

It always helps to have a proper teaching couple -- so that *both* leaders and followers get some instruction on their individual roles.

SpinDr

[Anita]

 

[andy14bike]

Does a good teacher actually need to know much about the dance they are teaching or can they just rely on new dancers to pick it up from the more experienced in the class? In particular does this apply to following. I have been to modern jive classes where almost all of the instruction is given to the leaders.

[philsmove]

Does a good teacher actually need to know much about the dance they are teaching or....

One of the best ways of leaning is by imitation
So yes, IMHO the Teacher(s) have to be a good dancers
I would guess, followers can learn from rotaing with good leads
But I not sure about the other way round, it seems fair to place a little more emphasis on teaching leads