In Choosing To Become A Teacher

I started my path to teacher accreditation uncertain of when I would actually attend a teacher training session. I just felt that somewhere deep inside me I wanted to teach T’ai Chi Chih. Part of this desire to teach was so to ensure that I would keep practicing myself. I wanted to surround myself with a TCC community, and I knew that teaching would bring that. Preparing for teacher training was an intuitive process. I took one step at a time as each opportunity was presented. Usually I didn’t see beyond the next event on my path; I moved forward with a strong faith that the Chi would continue to lead.

I attended a TCC training weekend during my time off from work as a schoolteacher. My rationale for the financial cost was that I was investing in myself. Fortunately, my husband had no misgivings about how I spent my vacation time, and he always drove me the 300 km to the centre for the sessions, staying in a hotel with me for the three- to four-day period.

Despite my five-year commitment to the process of becoming a TCC teacher, I had a difficult time in the final three months before the actual training session began. A state of anxiety grew as I anticipated the weeklong process. My auricular acupuncturist was perplexed when he saw me just prior to the training. He noticed that although I am typically stress-free during the summer, this was not the case. I talked about my anxiety regarding the upcoming training, but acknowledging it didn’t alleviate it. Even friends’ words of support didn’t help. Essentially, I went to teacher training completely terrified.

I don’t know why I was in that state. My teachers had been encouraging and I had two signatures as proof that I was ready. My rational mind made no sense of my fears. But, like a trooper, I kept my eye on the goal and stubbornly battled my terror. In the end it turned out that my fears were unfounded. I had such a gratifying experience that I can imagine auditing a future accreditation session. I have even encouraged a friend to become a TCC teacher as well.

If you think you have to feel confident and carefree before attending a teacher accreditation, I am proof that you do not. Follow your intuition, your heart and the Chi. Follow whatever leads you. Follow it especially when it leads you to teacher training because the weeklong accreditation process is well worth taking.

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