NJ teacher training yields 18

Aug. 26 – Sept. 1

By April Leffler, Auditing Teacher

What an honor and privilege it is to AUDIT a weeklong TCC teacher training course. It is a humbling experience to witness teacher candidates and fellow teachers delve further into their practice (and therefore further into themselves). Having recently been accredited in October 2000, I was inspired as I spent a week watching seasoned teachers flow effortlessly through the moves.

The energy of the week was tangible and moved metaphorically like a pendulum. It started high, filled with anticipation and nervous excitement, and slowly descended into the break down of facades, comfort levels, vashanas and confidence. As the days progressed, the energy slowly began to ascend to a higher and stronger level that encompassed increased smoothness, heightened awareness and focus, deeper groundedness, gentleness and perhaps a newfound respect (for self, others, TCC, Life).

There were 18 teacher candidates and a total of 16 auditors. Eight of the auditors stayed the entire week with an additional eight who audited for periods ranging from at least an afternoon to up to two or three days.

It was a mini reunion of sorts for this auditor since four teachers who were accredited with me last October had all decided to audit for the first time. Some of us laughed and cried together as we remembered the tender and raw experiences that were felt as we had grown and transformed through our teacher training.

I felt compassion for those teacher candidates who experienced self-doubt and frustration as they observed their practice “fall-apart” while simultaneously feeling that I’d be “stripped of my teacher status” as pieces of MY practice fell apart! I felt tremendous excitement and pride for the teacher candidates as I witnessed the pieces come together. The breakthroughs were readily apparent, not only in how people moved, but also on their faces and personalities. There was definitely an added softness and openness to our group.

I truly appreciated the depth of clarity and understanding that had occurred sans the nervousness of being a teacher candidate. Ed’s talks as well as comments from fellow teachers went much deeper and made more sense than they did when I went through my teacher training. When Ed had asked a few of the new auditors what we had thought about our auditing experience, I exclaimed, “I believe you this time!” (referring to Ed’s reassurances about how much quicker your TCC practice comes together after it seemingly falls apart, about trusting that everything is inside of you, just don’t try to rush it, about letting go, etc.).

Auditing a teacher training is a privilege and a wonderful way to give back to the TCC community. It is a fine microcosm, revealing to me that we are always students of TCC and of Life, and that each of us impacts and is impacted by one another. Perhaps this is why Justin refers to teachers as “the jewel of TCC.” I highly recommend auditing to teachers who have yet to experience this humbling and expansive opportunity.