We’ve all had to teach a class that left us frustrated, but to turn those students around, you first have to turn around your way of thinking.
Every time you enter your classroom you need to have energy and an uplifting aura about you. It amazes me when I see teachers walk into a room in an obvious bad mood and with their head down and then wonder why students that day were not receptive to being taught. If your class is not behaving well, I recommend that the first place you have to look is at yourself.
You may say 'Yes, but my other classes are great! It’s just this one class that is driving me crazy!' That may be true, but I would answer that you are probably doing a better job in those classes. I would bet that you are bringing a more positive attitude and feeling to those students. I know because I have been there myself. And after further self-review, I found that I needed to do a better job in the not-so-wonderful class.
Now, it is human nature to have some classes you like more, students you like more and parents you like more. It is not easy being a dance teacher. But it doesn’t have to be hard either. Look at it this way: If you are committed to teach a class on a certain day for 9 months, isn’t it better to make it enjoyable?
You have control over how you feel, and you have control over your approach to the classes you are going to teach. Look at the classes that are troublesome as more of a challenge than a problem. Find ways to make those classes more fun. How? Find out what makes those students tick., what will peak their interest and get them more into what you are doing. Every class is different. Every student is different. If you are not into your class, it will show up somewhere in the class. You may think you are covering up your feelings, but you may only be fooling yourself. Students have a way of knowing that you are not into their class. So it is your responsibility to make each class a joyful experience for the sake of the students and the teacher.
Steps To Get You Going
Don’t go into class in a bad mood. This is the cardinal rule and can never, ever be broken. If you are having some personal problems, train your mind to leave them behind when you enter the classroom. Tell yourself a joke or find something that makes you smile and think of it to help you snap out of your funk. I know this is easier said than done, but if you train yourself you can use your mind to focus on all the good you are doing when you enter the studio. If you teach in a bad mood your class will be a drag…for everyone.
Make your class laugh! Isn’t it wonderful when you say something in class that just gets everyone laughing! This is one of the best ways to win over a class or problem student. Careful not to make anyone, other than yourself, the object of the laughter. To loosen a class up I will announce that 'we will practice falling on the floor today so no one ever feels bad about doing so when they are dancing.' I will put on the music and let them freestyle, then when the music stops they fall to the floor. Once down there I ask them to introduce themselves to the floor so if they ever visit again they will be friends! A little levity will go a long way. It will also put you in a better frame of mind. I challenge you not to smile when a group of 9 to 12 year olds are laughing hysterically. Even if you are the serious type, find a way that you are comfortable with to get them laughing. If you do, you will be smiling, too!
Be prepared! If you are not into a certain class, it is even more essential to plan this class out until you win them over and change your thinking about this group of students. If you have a well thought out game plan you will also see how the time in the class flies by. You will be eager to get in all everything that you took the time to prepare and you will be a teaching machine! You may decide to change up the whole class and just do movement. Smile in the beginning to warm them up, then proceed to more challenging steps. Just make a plan and go into the class with ideas a blazing.
Give yourself a jolt! I am not advocating that you get yourself all caffeined up, but some people need that afternoon cup of tea, coffee or soda to give them a little boost. Be careful not to overload on caffeine or the crash will be sudden and your disposition may take a dive. Even more important is that you keep yourself fully hydrated, especially if you are teaching several classes in a row. Proper hydration will give you more energy and keep you in good working order. Also don’t teach hungry. If you are hungry, you will probably get grumpy. So find a way to eat something nourishing before you teach, like a banana and a handful of nuts or a yogurt with fresh berries.
You’ll soon be surprised at how making these little adjustments in your own approach has a ripple effect on the students in that 'problem' class and soon find that it’s 'problem solved.'
