by
4. June 2009 16:16
I was watching "So You Think You Can Dance" last night. It is the beginning of the season and you get a chance to spend twenty seconds getting to know a contestant on the show and what they are going through. The judges are making decisions as to who gets to move on to the next level of competition. This is the time where they see some amazing things in individuals. Judges find their hopefuls to win the show. This process can be a frustrating one for them, especially if their hopeful doesn't always rise to the occasion.
I began to sympathize with the judges and I think that all teachers at some point have put more than a little extra energy into a student because you want to see them succeed. I remember visualizing them achieving what it is I wanted them to gain from a rehearsal. I still do. The truth is sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. When it isn't happening disappointment can set in and I can become frustrated. This is definitely a part of the teaching process. This frustration, I think, is somehow connected to our passion. You know that thing that really makes you want the students to "get it"?
Teaching is definitely not an easy job. It takes a certain kind of person to be responsible for guiding and educating a young one. There were times I had the patience and times that I did not. Most of my teaching experience has been centered on teaching high school aged girls color guard. When I look back at fifteen years of teaching I can remember that frustrated feeling the judges were talking about last night. Some of which I know can be handled by better managing. Setting expectation and smaller goals along the way were some of the things I did to improve aspects of my programming but also made achieving what I was asking more consistent. This helped with the disappointment problem I was having.
No, I don't think my solution will be right for everyone. I don't think Debbie Allen, judge from "So You Think You Can Dance" will be considering. The older I get the more patience I have. This also allows me to try and respond positively before giving criticism; something else I got better at. Yes, I am definitely more thoughtful of my teaching processes. Some things do get better with age. I'm glad that was one of them considering I'm still teaching.
Here is a link that should be helpful when dealing with students. http://tep.uoregon.edu/resources/faqs/motivatingstudents/motivating.html
Marcus Brown, Founder CEO MyBandStaff.com