Being the Newbie

Being the new teacher at a studio can definitely take someone on a roller coaster ride of emotions, from pride at being hired and excitement to teach while getting paid to do it, to fear of failing miserably and concern over just how to make it through that first 5 hour shift. Well, I’ve certainly been through all of this and more.

Here’s what I have learned so far… Be proud that you have been hired, that someone has trusted you enough to send clients, all of whom are important, to you to teach. Relax a bit and realize that you do have the skills to teach a good class because the training you had will cover you. If you have to jump in suddenly to teach and you are unprepared, do not run screaming. Jump in and know that even without preparation you can create a great class. You usually can think faster on your feet than you give yourself credit for. And if for some reason the class comes out a little discombobulated, don’t beat yourself up. Probably it felt a lot worse to you than to the clients. Don’t try to emulate someone else. Be yourself. Even if you are taking over for someone and that person has a following, imitation will only get you smirks or worse. I know it’s hard to step into someone else’s slot, but trust that you have something valuable to offer and that people will see that. Don’t think for a second that you’re done. Teaching is the beginning.

I have come to see there is much out there I have to learn – a vast amount more than what the training provided. Keep watching other teachers and look to see how they have been creative, and also where you may be making mistakes. I realized last week that I was teaching an exercise incorrectly for months! The good news is that every teacher goes through this and mistakes are natural. Try not to get down about it, but do admit the fault and learn the exercise correctly. Don’t be stubborn or proud as it will hinder you from growth. And maintain a sense of humor. If an opportunity arises, take it. Don’t worry if you don’t know the “how to”. Go to your fellow teachers, watch a DVD, read. I volunteered to teach a 55 minute arc barrel class before I even remembered how to do 2 exercises on the thing. But I realized that it would be a great addition to my classes and that being stopped by fear was only going to stunt me. If you are not getting booked, don’t panic. And I say this after teaching for a few months and still having moments of feeling like my internal organs are being twisted and hung out to dry from worry. Wiser teachers than me have said that this is normal – and don’t worry, I make sure to ask about every week, just to make sure the answer hasn’t changed! Clients – some will like you, some will not. This is a hard fact of teaching other human beings who have judgments and tastes. I’m not going to lie; it can be difficult to throw that rejection off. It’s hard not to take it personally when someone decides not to workout with you again, or you get the good old stinkeye. What’s a newbie to do? Do you suddenly feel less worthy? Probably. Does it really have to do with your teaching? Maybe, maybe not. It could be a personality thing or yes, it could be that the client wants someone with more experience. That’s ok. Everyone was new at some point, surrounded by those more experienced. It’s a hard place to be, but try to see it as an opportunity to keep learning. In short, being the new gal in town has been no picnic in some ways, but it has also challenged me anew and challenges can be a good thing. I see that whether I rise to the occasion or not will define me as a teacher.

So, I say, take yourself on, take on all the new experiences and go for broke. You’ll be far down that teaching road a lot faster and you’ll be smiling back at those roadblocks you left in the dust.

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