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pianogirl
7 Posts |
 Posted - 04/17/2008 : 2:24:26 PM
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Since the inception of our monthly Swing Friday practice session, several of you wonderful people & fine dancers have answered our call for 'guides' or 'mentors', & we always REALLY APPRECIATE you coming to help out.
We really like this idea of growing our dance community, & increasing the number of skilled & enthusiastic dancers, by targeting the recent arrivals & intermediate-level dancers. We think that by giving more people the opportunity to truly improve their dancing, they might get adicted & come dance with us more often, & become really good dancers!
Some of you have expressed a desire for more guidance yourselves--as to what you should be doing with/for the 'mentees':
"I'm not a teacher; I don't really know where to start..."
"I ask if they want help, but they don't have a clear idea of what they want....I can't figure out what they need...."
or "It's difficult to determine what they need MOST (or FIRST)." or maybe "I don't know what to do with them...."
or "If I had a specific exercise or focus, that would help."
(etc.)
Well, we on the board have been discussing this off & on, & we really do want to improve your comfort level & continue to grow the Swing Fri. scene.
I have to run to work right now, but check back SOON (tonight) for some Hopefully-Helpful-Hints on Mentoring 101.
And please do reply--I'd love to read your thoughts/requests/suggestions.
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pianogirl
7 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2008 : 8:36:20 PM
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OK folks
Here are some ideas/observations that might help with the Swing Friday Mentor Experience. What do you think?
--Laura
CSDS Mentor Program
Mentoring 101 (for Swing Friday volunteers)
REMEMBER: You needn’t be a fabulous dancer or master teacher to offer some simple help—for which someone may be very grateful!
REMEMBER: You never know—your tips, or simply your friendliness & encouragement might be a catalyst for someone developing into an awesome dancer…whom YOU’ll enjoy dancing with in the future!
Be pro-active, & friendly:
Take the responsibility for approaching “mentees;” introduce yourself & ask if they’d like to dance with you.
If they can articulate specific needs, address them as best you can. (see below)
If they do not have specific requests, look for something you can help with.
Often the best help is the simplest. Some basic concepts you might address:
FRAME(i.e.)
--soft knees (& bounce)
--engage core muscles
--relax shoulders & arms
CONNECTION
---Where? (i.e.) hand, fingers, arm, shoulder, back
WEIGHT
---Clear shift of weight; Avoid split weight; Gather
REMEMBER: Positive encouragement & reinforcement
Use the principles of CRC:
Commendation—Recommendation—Commendation
1.COMMEND: Compliment them (i.e., on some aspect of their dancing, or even something else—their enthusiasm, great smile, good shoes….All these, after all, are part of what makes a pleasant dance experience).
2.RECOMMEND: Offer a tip.
3.COMMEND: Reinforce “yes, you’ve got it, “ or “keep working on it,” or “great effort!”. If they DON’T GET IT: You might:
1. Just let it go
2. Address that honestly (you’ll have to gauge whether you think this is a good idea in each particular situation) & say “It’s OK. Let’s try something else; you can go back to that later (tonight…or next month…or next class…or whenever). Or call in reinforcements: maybe another Mentor working with you can help.
People learn in 3 different ways:
1. AURAL: by hearing an explanation
2. VISUAL: by seeing it done
3. KINESTHETIC: by doing it themselves, with their own bodies
Most people are stronger in one of the 3, but are a mix. Whatever YOUR strengths are will probably determine the way you TEACH, as well as learn. Unless you know for certain what someone’s dominant learning style is, your best bet is to address all 3 through a variety of approaches.
1. Talk through it—explain how it looks, feels, works.
2. Show it yourself.
3. Help them do it.
REMEMBER: Just because someone has few/poor/no dance skills doesn’t mean he/she is unintelligent, uncool, or (most of all) unable to improve! They may be fabulously brilliant at something else—so treat them with respect & dignity...and patience.
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Help! I'm a mentor; now what do I do??
