I remember when Angela and I first decided to buy my former teacher, Mikki Williams dance school back in 1987. A Dance Class was a thriving studio with about 250 students. We were professional dancers, and we had taught master classes all over the world. We knew all about teaching dance, so how hard could it be to run a dance school? Once the initial shock wore off, we realized we had a lot to learn. And so we did, taking courses in marketing, management, and the all- important on-the-job training that 22 years of owning a studio will give you. Through it all, the one thing that we still love to this day, the driving force behind all of our decisionsis our love of teaching. We love to create, choreograph and work with our students. We also love to help and work with teachers. We love to be around teachers to share with them the new ways and methods we've developed to bring out the best in our students. Teaching, after all, is about giving, sharing, nurturing, helping and educating.
The key element in this is you, the teacher, and your willingness to give. Joy in giving is what teaching is all about. I know you have experienced the joy of seeing a student who finally gets a step and seen the joy of a student once they learn how to dance. Since real teaching is all about the student, it is important to keep your energy and enthusiasm up. Balance the focus you put on your students with focusing some time on yourself. What helps you maintain your life force? Is it taking a day off from dance every week? Enjoying a relaxing hobby for an hour a day? Turning off all electronics on Sunday afternoons? Once you have identified it, you must find ways to delve into it on a regular basis. This will translate into more energy and your students will reap the benefits!
Use John C. Maxwells Eight P Plan for achievement as you prepare for your classes: Plan Purposefully Prepare Plentifully Proceed Positively Pursue Persistently. We have found that having a few motivational sayings to read are good for the mind and soul. We keep a running list of quotes we enjoy and that have an impact on us. Some are just fun quips that help us recharge and give us a kick when we need it. I recommend that you compile a group of phrases that can be read every morning or whenever you want a little pick-me-up. There are hundreds of books with motivational ideas that may resonate with you.
Leadership expert John C. Maxwell is the bestselling author of many books including Success One Day At A Time (J. Countryman Publisher) which I highly recommend. Here is some of Maxwells philosophy: If You Want Happiness If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a month, get married. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help others, be a teacher! Every day, in every way I am better and better! The world stands aside to let anyone pass who knows where they are going. The reward of work well done is the opportunity to do more. I have all the resources I need right now to achieve any goals I set for myself.
The most important thing you can do for your students is to maintain your energy and passion so that you are able to teach at a high level. Your presence will create an environment that is fun, rewarding and inspiring to anyone around you.
