Tips for preparing a candidate for Teacher Training

Attending a Teacher’s Training Course is an opportunity to move to another level with our T’ai Chi Chih practice. Our understanding of the form expands. We experience our practice with new awareness. We struggle to grasp new concepts. It can be a challenge if we are not well prepared.

If a teacher candidate attends training and is not fully prepared, the results affect the whole class. More time is given to that student that would have been used to benefit everyone. The student’s frustration and anxiety is felt by all those in attendance. And, if that student is not able to make a leap of progress to be accredited, then the whole class feels the effect.

In an effort to cultivate the potential of the student candidate to the maximum, the “two signature” referral process was implemented. Also the 3 ½ day intensive workshop was created. I believe these two measures are making a difference in assisting the candidate to be better prepared for attending a T’ai Chi Chih Teacher training course. While the two signature process seems to be working, Pam and I still receive many questions about it. I hope to address many of those questions here.

Part of the preparation process is working with the candidate to ensure that they move well, that they can articulate the basic principles of the form and apply them, and that they are familiar with the underlying philosophy. Another aspect to be considered when working with a candidate is their attitude. Do they ask questions? Do they watch you when you move and give you respect as the teacher? Do they take advantage of courses offered by other teachers to gain experience? How do they take suggestions/corrections and are they willing to change?

A candidate should be given an opportunity to assist in a class. Give them experience being in front of a class, being a model, leading a movement, and talking about T’ai Chi Chih to others. Why have them wait until they attend training? The more experience they have before attending training will allow them to be more comfortable and better able to take in what is being taught.

When working with a candidate all the above should be taken into consideration. When a referral form is signed, it is putting their reputation on the line by approving the candidate to attend training. They are saying, “I have spent time with this person and I feel they are capable and ready to proceed with the training.” It is the same responsibility with the second signature. Having a second teacher for the preparation process is an opportunity for the candidate to continue and expand their learning and preparation. The teacher should spend individual time with the candidate and assess: do they know the movements; do they move well, can they talk about T’ai Chi Chih, do they understand the underlying philosophy, and do they have the proper attitude? This cannot be done by meeting for a few hours and watching them move.

It is a gift for a candidate to have two teachers who will share their experience and understanding of T’ai Chi Chih, to have two teachers who will work together to ensure that the candidate is better prepared than they were for their training. It is difficult sometimes to see everything when assessing someone’s form. Having two teachers gives the student a better chance of correcting a problem before coming to training. Sometimes a teacher may be too close to a student and not able to be objective enough. That is another advantage of a second teacher/second signature. If you, as a teacher, have been hesitant to send a student to training because you are unsure of what constitutes a “well-prepared candidate,” now you have the opportunity to confer with another teacher about your student.

Occasionally it happens that there is no other teacher nearby to work with for a second signature. If this is the case, contact one of the teacher trainers to discuss options.

Maturity of a candidate’s T’ai Chi Chih practice should not be taken lightly. Occasionally a student will learn the movements of T’ai Chi Chih quickly, especially if they practice other forms of movement. But understanding T’ai Chi Chih from the inside out, knowing it on an internal/feeling level rather than a “doing” level takes time. There is no way to hurry the process. It takes time for one’s practice to mature. This maturation period will vary from student to student, but it generally takes about two years of consistent practice.

Those of you who have attended conferences over the past few years have noticed the quality of the group T’ai Chi Chih practice. We as a community are moving better, flowing more, and moving softer with less effort. Candidates are coming to training better prepared, and leaving as teachers who move well. The extra time spent preparing a candidate is benefiting the whole community and ensuring that the time during the training process is used in the most valuable and effective way. I extend my gratitude to those who give their time and energy to ensure that T’ai Chi Chih continues as “Joy Thru Movement.”