Everyone is a "Potential Teacher" when it comes to Creativity. Lets make sure we select Teachers who truly value creativity and imagination.
Unfortunately, there are many "teachers" out there who do just the opposite. The best thing you can do is run away at full speed from these kinds of teachers. Find yourself a better one. Bad teachers do long term damage and often stop people in their creative tracks.
(I hope you have never come across this kind of teacher!)
Last night, I had the pleasure (?!) of collecting my daughter from her new dance school.
For the past three years, she has danced ballet with the most wonderful, understanding, upright group of teachers who really love dance. This has been wonderful. They have taught her elegance, and style and a way of being that is delightful. These are the kind of teachers who inspire dancers to keep dancing.
Unfortunately, this year she wants to do contemporary dance and her old school doesnt offer it so she changed to the dance school of her friend.
My first (and only) contact was to step inside the door of the industrial hall and see a poster above the door.
It went something along the lines of "NO parents past this point. That means you. If you must stay, sit yourself down on the chair and be quiet". I might have the wording wrong, but it was something like that. Ummm. ( I accept many schools have this policy but I have never before seen such a dismissing, rude sign that talks down to the very people who pay the tuition fees)
Then, it was time to listen to the teacher talking to the kids.
After a supposedly dismal run through where she poked holes and pointed out faults (it looked ok to me), she stood at the front of the group.
"That was terrible. Utter rubbish. So bad. You were all so bad. I thought I could leave this in the hands of someone whilst I went away but obviously that was not the case. That was the worst dancing I have ever seen. You better get better next week."
Evidently, earlier in the night, she told the children that if they were 'bad', she would send them to sit outside. At night, in the dark.
The kids in this group were anywhere from about 10 years to 17 years old.
I honestly couldnt believe my ears, not only the words but her shouting and her tone, and said out loud to the two parents sitting there "Does the teacher always be so rude and demeaning?"
The mum turned to me and said, "Don't baby them. Its tough love. They are used to it. It makes them better at dancing".
Later, in the car, I asked the girls if she always spoke like this. "Oh no, she is much worse. Sometimes she yells at you. "
(I'm not sure I'd want to see that- I already thought she was yelling!)
My daughter then added, "yeah, and she just got back from holiday"
(What? A holiday is supposed to relax and replenish you. If this is her behaviour after a holiday, imagine what it is like when she is really stressed!! AGGGHHHH!!!)
"But it makes me a better dancer. I try to do the right thing so she doesnt pick on me or shout at me in front of the others"
This kind of teaching sounds to me like "Teach by terror". Put enough fear into them and they will do what you want them to.
(Reminds me of a story about how a dog, terrorised by his owner becomes dangerous, ready and willing to bite to protect himself. Wonder what kind of words these kinds of children will use with their friends and family, if this is what they know and is acceptable?)
If this teacher was our boss, we would either quit in disgust, tell her to shove her job or possibly even lodge a harrasment claim against her. Why then, do we allow her to treat other people (our children) like this? No one, NO ONE, deserves to be spoken to as if they were bad. Self esteem and ability is destroyed by that kind of behaviour.
I don't believe this kind of teaching ever inspires greatness or imagination. Students who have to watch their every move and make sure they are doing the right thing don't have time to imagine. It becomes about survival, and when someone is in survival mode, the creative capacity is turned off.
Luckily, there are other kinds of teachers out there. Great ones who lead by example, who inspire, who care and who help you transform a mistake into a learning opportunity.
These kinds of teachers have 'presence'. Their presence is so strong that the children/adults want to behave and do the right thing so they can continue to learn from, and grow with, that teacher. A teacher like this doesnt have to yell to gain their attention, or be rude, or nasty, or cross. Even on a 'bad day', most people wouldnt even know it.
I'm lucky to have had some GREAT teachers along the way- so good they cancelled out the dodgy ones mostly, but I still remember my old art teacher stopping me doing Art in Year 11 and 12. I loved 'art' but sucked at painting but no one has the right to stop you striving and learning.
I think one of the biggest influences on being a teacher like this is spending time STRIVING to be the best we can be. Dont forget that as parents we are the child's first teacher!
Organised, prepared, interested in life, excited to share with others, taking time to reflect on when something goes wrong and also spending some time in contemplation- noticing and observing their own mannerisms, their psychology, their genetic make up; the way they interact with others; their temperament and working out how to improve the areas they are not keen on. Self development of the highest kind.
This kind of teacher wants her students to succeed and to create. She or he wants the child/adult to be the every best they can be, and helps them get there. Sometimes, she gives them a leg up to a place much higher on the ladder of life, yet is grateful for the student and the learning.
I'm not sure this dance teacher spends much time in self reflection but I wish she would!
(PS I'm not sure what to do about my daughter and her teacher. Asperger kids dont do well with someone yelling at them and tend to fight back. I want to pull her out straight away but she wants to stay. What do you think??")
