Teacher News (Summer 1989)

I began teaching last fall in Duncan, 40 miles north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. I arranged my classes with the cooperation of the Community Wellness Centre in Duncan. I continued to teach my own classes this spring as well as a class at the Cowichan Community Centre. The response to T’ai Chi Chih in Duncan and the Cowichan Valley area has been very enthusiastic. I have had 90 students in five classes.

My goal was to identify a teacher candidate that lived in the community to continuing teaching. However, to my surprise and delight, four teacher candidates emerged. Betty Sommerfield, Marylin Ollivier, Lynn Kobewka and Ken Kobewka. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work closely with each and everyone of them during my first Teacher Preparation Course. I am very pleased with the results, we learned together which was stimulating and most enjoyable. These four excellent teacher candidates will be accredited at the second Teacher Accreditation Course held in Victoria, British Columbia, 16-22 May, 1989. I am sure they join me in thanking Steve for his patience, encouragement and skillful guidance. Also, our thanks to Renee for her dedicated work.

To complete my teaching in Duncan and the Cowichan Valley I have arranged to co-host a T’ai Chi Chih Celebration!!! with the Cowichan Community Centre on the 1st June, 1989. My aim is to introduce the new T’ai Chi Chih teachers to the community, provide publicity for them and provide an opportunity for students and their guests to socialize. I am expecting over 60 people and I have invited the local cable TV station. I am anticipating the level of Chi to increase significantly!

I wish to thank Betty, Marylin, Lynn and Ken for their enthusiasm, commitment, dedication and warmth. I have thoroughly enjoyed my teaching up Island. I know that T’ai Chi Chih will be taught by each and every one of them with integrity and spirit. Congratulations and the very best of luck to these new teachers.

As always, very special thanks to Justin for these enticing, beautiful and beneficial movements.

With love and appreciation,

– Carole Gates
Victoria, B.C. Canada