A teacher is one who makes
himself progressively unnecessary.
(Thomas Carruthers)
Advanced students
Trainee teachers
in our school are long-term students with considerable
experience in tai chi.
They possess an
advanced-level
understanding of the art.
All aspects of the syllabus are familiar and can be demonstrated to a high
standard of competence.
Advanced syllabus
The advanced syllabus is split into 13 parts.
Teacher training is additional and separate, since not all students are
interested in teaching.
Teacher training is split into a further 5 parts in order to address
different levels of the curriculum and the logistics of running a class.
How can I become a teacher?
We welcome anyone who wants to become a tai chi
teacher.
Prospective teachers start in the beginners class and work their way through
the
syllabus.
With patience, commitment and practice, they reach the advanced-level.
At that point, the student is taught how to teach.
Unravelling
When you can simply 'do' tai chi, you are an advanced exponent.
You have transcended
the point where conscious thought intrudes.
At this point in your learning, you can perform tai chi very well but
could not realistically teach what you can do.
To teach, you have to
methodically unravel the process that got you there.
When you can dismantle how you got there and teach it to others such that they
can do it too, you are an instructor.
Choice
If you are given 2 choices by somebody,
do not be afraid to suggest an alternative.
Why be constrained by what is being offered?
Do not let the terms of the question impose limits that are verbal rather than
actual.
There is more to tai chi than what you are taught.
Unless you can move beyond the
letter of the teaching and reach the
essence, you will never understand.
Your
perception must change.
Transcend
The syllabus was designed to build layer upon layer of
understanding and skill.
But learning-by-rote is not enough.
In order to teach tai chi you must fundamentally change how you
think.
Copying, repeating, paraphrasing and memorising are not good enough - you must
transcend the tuition itself and make your own contribution.
If you cannot do this, what is your purpose in teaching?
Standing in your own way
In all aspects of the curriculum and in
life, there is usually more to see than you
are aware of.
Your inability to see other choices, options or aspects does not mean they don't
exist.
Remember: it is not about
you.
The limitations you encounter are a product of your mind. Do not stand in
your own way.
To really understand the syllabus you surrender your
ego, your
self-consciousness and
alter your capacity to see.
Commitment
A trainee
teacher will have a lot of
material to practice and should be committed to daily training.
Daily training is the cornerstone of your practice.
In addition to physical work, you must also be studying tao, zen, the tai chi
classics and any associated material.
More...
Page created 19 October 2002