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Partnering In Teaching Dance
by Erin & Scot Byars
partner [ pahrt-ner ]
Noun: a person who shares or is associated with another in some action
or endeavor, sharer, associate; a spouse, a husband or a wife.
Law: a person associated with another or others as a principal or a
contributor of capital in a business or a joint venture, usually
sharing its risks and profits; silent partner.
Verb (used with object): to associate as a partner or partners with; to
serve as the partner of.
Every teaching partnership is unique. What matters is that you and your
partner work out the relationship that works best for both of you. How
do you do that? Communicate!
Communication is essential, but there are definitely proper
times/places to have discussions about that partnership. On the dance
floor, whether teaching or dancing, is not one of them. I know, many of
you have just said, “Duh!” but over the years, I have observed many
partners loudly disagreeing with each other on the floor. Avoiding this
is probably the most important thing any of you will ever do – or not
do.
Within most teaching couples, one half of the partnership generally
takes the lead during instruction, while the other takes more of a
support role. If you and your partner take turns being the lead
instructor, it is a good idea to decide before the event which of you
will be “on the mic” that day. Try not to assume your partner knows
what you are thinking – hash out who is at the helm before you arrive.
Recently I had a conversation with a dancer friend. She and her husband
have been attending numerous Zoom dance sessions, and most of those got
positive reviews from her. The one negative experience? The lead
instructor constantly belittled their partner, complaining about their
performance in a very rude manner throughout the class.
One of the main things dancers are looking for is an escape – a way to
leave their troubles and cares behind while they glide across the dance
floor. Listening to leaders argue and complain is far from relaxing. My
friend assures me they will never again “attend” that team’s events.
What do you do when the teaching partner says something that is just
plain wrong? If I hear my partner (or any instructor) say something
that is completely incorrect, I try to judge just how much it will
confuse the students. If it is not too damaging, I wait and speak to
the teacher during the next break. If I truly feel that the students
will be thrown off by what is being said, I will raise my hand and say,
“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. I always thought that step was done
this way – has there been a change I was not aware of?”
Never say the instructor is incorrect, especially not when speaking to
the entire group. Remember, this is their class, and their ability to
teach is tied to the trust given them by their students. Even if you
take them aside, be respectful and suggest they may want to research
the step you believe is not right. Someday they will attend one of your
classes, and I am sure you would appreciate the same professional
courtesy from them. You would never want someone in a class you are
teaching to exclaim, “You are wrong!”
One of the things that makes round dancing so special is the way
instructors all support and share with each other. You are all amazing
people, and your students learn how to treat each other based on the
way you treat your partner and your colleagues. Be the best example!
From a column in
the Roundalab Spring Journal, 2021,
and
reprinted
in the Dixie Round Dance Council (DRDC)
Newsletter, November, 2021.
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