Hello,

Yesterday my teacher left the studio, so he asked me to take over for him while he was away.  I taught the two kids classes.  I believe the kids enjoyed a different opinion on things, or just a different method of teaching in general.  The thing I was afraid of was that the kids might start talking too much/loudly, but they were very quiet compared to usual, so I was thankful for their co-operation.

We worked on Foxtrot and Samba in the Teen's class, and we worked on the Foxtrot and Waltz in the little kids class.  I was surprised at how well the little ones paid attention.

I believe the best way to get children to pay attention during some class is to give them as much respect as you would to a grown up.  I find it silly when people think children won't listen to them, when they themselves won't listen to the children.  YOU are the adult, YOU must set the example, not the other way around.  When they talk, listen to them, don't try to talk to them in some dumbed down language.  If they are very intelligent, you don't even need to use simplified terms.  Talk to them almost as if they were a fully grown adult.

Respect.  It is important.  Do not expect to be given any if you give none.

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor

September 20

So right now I am sitting in the studio, (I probably won't be when I actually DO post this.  The internet here is really weird.  I have a connection, but it's going insanely slow), and I am waiting for the next class to start.  I come here every Tuesday at three, and I leave at nine.  I only dance three of those seven hours because I stay from the first class at three, and do something until seven when the classes start again.

There is a lady at the studio.  She always was very uncomfortable for me to be around because she is very talkative and talks too much during classes.  For some reason she got angry at me and said I dance "limp."  I appreciate her thinking that I am a God of dance, but even the best of us make mistakes, so I am kind of confused at her reasoning for getting angry at me.  At least she won't be talking to me during classes anymore!
The studio is always a very nice place to  relax.  It's actually a very quiet place most of the time, even while the music is on, and there are so many nice people here, there is almost always  someone nice to talk to.

Oh, and I learnt recently that the studio I dance in is one of the biggest in the country.  How cool is that?

I also believe that the kids who attended my kids class will not be returning anytime soon.  Their parents believe that the older girl is a little daunted by having a lesson herself, because her younger sister, who I said probably has better things to do then listen to me for an hour, will not be coming.  So, another setback in my dream to be a dance teacher.

Well, at least I'm still alive!

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor

Edit:  Turns out I was able to after all!  :)

Kids Class

Yesterday I had the first session of my kids ballroom class.  I think it went pretty well.  I have two young girls taking the class, one of them is five, and the other is three.

I was wondering if a person of three years old was too young to have in the class.  I love the little ones, but I think I may have to raise the minimum age from three to maybe four or five.  She was just not very interested.  Maybe in a year or so she will be more interested.  I remember an hour being much longer when I was younger, so I fully understand why she had a hard time focusing.

The five-year-old girl was pretty well behaved.  She listened very intently most of the time, and I didn't have to call her attention very often.  She picked the steps up pretty fast as well.

Overall it was a good experience.  I gained some knowledge in how to teach younger children, and I decided that three-year-olds  have better things to do then listen to me for an hour.

I also had my Swing class which no one attended, other than my parents of course.  They don't exactly count as students though, so if anyone reading this could attend, I would greatly appreciate it.  Check the calendar at:  http://aaronballroom.webs.com/apps/calendar/ to find the time of the Swing class, as well as my kids class.

Thank you,

Aaron Mullen:  Ballroom Dance Instructor