The weekend before last I completed my JWAAD Teaching course; The Safe Delivery of Belly Dance Classes. I hope to complete the full Teaching Diploma with JWAAD and undertaking this first module has definitely inspired me to continue with determination towards the Diploma.
There was not a single aspect I didn't enjoy about this course. (Ok I lie, the awful karaoke underneath my hotel at 2am was horrible :S) But excusing the bad singing the course was a much needed and wanted stepping stone in my teaching and dance development.
I would highly recommend the course for those already teaching belly dance or those that wish to. It gives you a firm foundational knowledge in the essentials that you need for teaching in general and for specifically teaching belly dance.
The course was really helpful in developing my knowledge of anatomy and physiology, health and safety, professionalism and administration, establishing and catering for technique level and for planning and organising lessons and lesson content.
It has already had an impact on my teaching. I feel more equipped to support my students and develop as a teacher. The feedback from the tutors was extremely valuable and as was their willingness to share their vast experiences and offer considered and appropriate advice.
I have a renewed confidence in my ability as a dancer and teacher and have in general been provided with the support and resources to be able to apply my ideas and utilise my skills and knowledge.
My own dance has taken a back seat this year while I have concentrated on developing as a teacher. A down side in completing the course has been the fact that, for financial and time reasons, I haven't been able to attend other dance workshop and training (No JOY Festival this year, booo!!!) and have felt that I have been distant from the local and surrounding dance community by doing so. I also feel as a consequence my personal development as an individual dancer has remained on a plateau rather than improving. I definitely need to work on reaching a compromise and fix a balance between Rachel the teacher and Rachel the dancer, not solely focus one at a time to the neglect of the other. (Cue the same old excuse, when I'm rich . . . )
I feel it has been worth it though. I have noticed a growth in my confidence in my ability to deliver organised, fun and productive classes and workshops and I have gained a huge amount of new knowledge that I feel will benefit my students.
The feedback that I treasured the most was given after my warm-up assessment. My assessors told me that they really enjoyed my warm up and commented that my love of teaching was obvious and a pleasure to see.
Despite being unable to attend workshops over the summer, on the JWAAD course I did choose to join the JWAAD Personal Development Programme. From the first personal technique assessment and private tuition it was good to have feedback on my dance from a teacher at the top of their game and have personalised feedback on what I need to work at. I did feel really under pressure being assessed and hawk-eyed watched by a dancer I admire so much but the advice was more than worth the moment on panic when asked to perform for her!
I was also pleasantly surprised at my assessed technique level, I was alot higher than I expected to be!
While undertaking the course I also set up a new local belly dance class. It have been a pleasure to teach experienced dancers and complete beginners. The enthusiasm of the students and positive feedback and their obvious enjoyment of the dance has been a real motivator to continue giving them the absolute best of my ability.
Teaching has never been and isn't for me a financial venture or profit making, but belly dance is a joy that I feel privileged to have and share.
I love teaching and I love seeing other women learning and enjoying themselves, relaxing, being creative, taking time out and getting to know themselves. I love that I can give them the opportunity and the tools to learn about their bodies, their sensuality and share both in a friendly, understanding and loving environment.
The last few months have truly re-enforced for me the joy of learning and being able to teach.
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