Getting Started: After Accreditation

Susan Hudgens, San Jose, CA

Many tasks await the newly accredited teacher; where does a green teacher begin? Starting out: time to choose which of the many teaching possibilities to approach first. Feeling assured that I will eventually pursue a myriad of ideas over a period of time was useful so not to be overwhelmed by the multitude of avenues – community centers, adult education, church groups, clubs, private classes, etc.

It began by being available to assist my original teacher as she scheduled and made presentations. All I had to do was show up and follow her in the movements. Easy, since that was what I had been doing for over 2 1/2 years prior to accreditation! Dona Marriott and I nicknamed ourselves “Donna Shaffer’s clones.” We were successful in many ways. We supported Donna in helping to make her demonstrations more effective. We got to be together doing T’ai Chi Chih. With absolutely no risk to us, we learned how to move in front of a large group of people. And we absorbed as much of Donna’s poised, relaxed and confident style as we could possibly open to.

Next “Who ya gonna call…?”

Pursuing the want ads under Health, Fitness, Instructor and Teacher as a regular exercise paid off in a TCC way! Answering a request for Health/Fitness Instructor at CLUBSPORT in Fremont, CA, I boldly filled out an application and offered T’ai Chi Chih. Personnel never contacted me, but the Hostess/greeter at the facility liked the idea and she gave me the Activities Director’s name.

After several attempts to connect, the Activities Director suggested I mail her some information. Then her curiosity-or was it intuition?-kicked in. She asked a specific question.

This opened up a 10 minute dialogue with me garnering detailed answers to my questions about “how can we make this work.” Our discussion included how to offer the course – class sessions twice a week for 4 weeks or once a week for 6 – 8 weeks. She was concerned students would lose interest if they had to commit for longer than one month. Next was how to charge the members. She felt the fee should be less than they would pay elsewhere or privately. We began negotiating my wage – hourly or a percentage of the total revenue. We talked about ways to promote the class within the club to ensure sufficient enrollment. Then we were ready to make an appointment to meet and discuss the details further.

Steve Ridley gave me practical advice: In the beginning bend to the wishes of the group or facility that is interested in T’ai Chi Chih. Listen to hear how the administrators normally set up classes with other teachers. Whether it be by contract, by the hour, by class size, by percentages, be agreeable and comply.

Donna Shaffer suggested introducing the prospective students to TCC by offering to “cool-down” aerobics and stretch classes with a few of the movements. The Activities Director got the Aerobics Director’s approval, so a week before the first scheduled class I showed up 4 evenings and a Saturday morning to do 10 minute presentations at the conclusion of these classes. Thirteen people signed up and TCC was taught at CLUBSPORT in Fremont, CA this past Nov.-Dec.!

First-contact to first-class took 2 months. The very day of the first class was the final go-ahead from the Director.

And they want to offer TCC again! For this next session, the Club and I split the cost to have a lobby sign made with a plaque where the class dates and times can be easily changed. I also requested both a day and evening time for a “free introductory lesson”. The first free lesson had an excellent turnout with the majority in attendance enrolling for the course beginning February 3rd.

Perseverance, patience, remaining open and flexible – practicing T’ai Chi Chih principles help to set up T’ai Chi Chih classes!