Exposing The Lie

PULL QUOTE: it takes training… experience… patience… repeated doing

There is an old adage that goes, “Those who cannot do teach.” This was penned by someone who apparently had a bad experience in junior high school, or was attempting to justify poor grades or, as I suspect, not working up to his or her potential.

Teaching requires a myriad of skills. One must not only master the subject of the lessons, but be able to multitask. One must be able to communicate a set of skills organized within a given time frame, observe students as a group while adapting the information and presenting the sequence of movements for each individual. The right teacher for a particular student must bring something to the mix that resonates.

My initial instructor accomplished her connection with me through her voice, a timbre and pacing that spoke to me from the first instant, allowing me to relax and trust the directions, to see what she was saying and thus making the link between us. I employ humor, props and lead by mirroring, in addition to demonstrating from multiple angles.

In any case, a good teacher must find something within their personality or personal style that remains consistent so the students can settle into the mindset and informational rhythm of the instructor.

If you are wondering what your style might be, take stock of what has been working for you. Make notations after a class and isolate things that worked well, gave you a sense of reaching the core of the day’s instruction. Watch for a telltale look of satisfaction on a student’s face and analyze what was happening (verbally or physically) during that time, and make it a part of your teaching approach.

If you have been teaching for awhile you are most likely doing these things already, but if it is not being done intentionally, take time to scrutinize your method and work to solidify and improve it even further. Once you see certain visualizations or descriptive phrases getting positive reactions, keep them in your mix. Watch other instructors in person or through social media and turn their motivational material into something that befits you. Remembering all the while: if you are comfortable, your students will be comfortable.

Not every student is a perfect match for every instructor. However, every instructor needs to put forth the effort to communicate effectively, clearly and, dare I say it, effortlessly so that your instruction becomes a conversation between your experience and the students’ desire to learn.

What a good teacher does requires effort and talent. It takes training, and it takes experience. It takes patience, and it takes repeated doing. Those who think that teaching is easy, or a shelter for the uninspired or uninformed, are wrong. The truth is those who teach can do.