Will TCC Be Ready? Overcoming Obstacles

In the February 2011 issue of The Vital Force, Justin asked, “When the time comes, will T’ai Chi Chih be ready with enough teachers?” He further commented: “A good deal more is expected of TCC.” In my opinion, to realize that expectation, a good deal more will be required of TCC teachers.

The Vital Force is full of inspirational and motivational articles about how instructors are sharing the Chi via TCC. Current teachers can also use the increased media support of TCC to “grow” their classes. I encourage the rest of us to follow the lead of the teachers who contribute articles to The Vital Force and who get media recognition to share information about the extra efforts we are making to prepare teacher candidates, to host teacher accreditation classes, and more.

I would like to acknowledge only two of the unsung heroines who have directly and indirectly supported my ongoing efforts to organize a teacher accreditation course here on the Big Island of Hawaii. The masterful Vital Force inspires me to recognize the value of TCC and the importance of using my various skills to share the gift of Joy Through Movement in more aspects of my life. Without this, few of us would be aware of the amazing contributions of our fellow teachers.

Donna McElhose’s fidelity to TCC is manifested in her constant renewal through workshops and the annual conference, where she has generously shared various refinements that I in turn share with my students. Imagine their delight when Donna herself joined us for more than six hours of instruction and assistance during her “vacation” on the Big Island. She shared helpful tips and written handouts, which we continue to use. She exemplifies the integrity and generosity that, in my experience, are the hallmarks of TCC teachers who stay involved.

Preparing teacher candidates is increasingly difficult as gas prices and other considerations create obstacles to teacher/student interaction. How about a special or ongoing section in The Vital Force along the lines of “Overcoming Obstacles to Preparing Teacher Candidates”? Without more accredited teachers, we will no have a positive answer to Justin’s question: “When the time comes, will TCC be ready with enough teachers?”