teaching at a new facility

[jmd]

i'm so excited that i will soon be taking over two classes at a terrific facility from two different veteren teachers!!! :D i am looking for the best way to begin...which foot to put forward if you will. do i follow in close step with the previous instructors at first to make the transition easier on the members, or do i just come in and be myself and not worry about any transition time, just teach the way i teach with my style. i know in the end i will end up with the latter, you have to be true to yourself and i did my autdition ride as if it were just another class and was hired right away. :D who's been there and done that with advice for me? i don't want to make any mistakes if i can help it! thanks guys, take care... :wink: jmd

[Pink]

Do you have reason to believe the former instructors are that much different from you? I think I'd just go in there and do my thing, the best I can. Maybe if their music is really different from yours, maybe you could add in a crumb or two of what they are used to.

[Moonsavvy]

Excellent idea pink. Serioulsy profiles are what they are, but the music is a big part of connecting with the participants. I would definately try to find out what the instructor's played and then throw in bits and pieces just make sure what you choose inspires you as the instructor. I might start out with a few all-terrain rides, be pleasant but not overpowering, just be you and don't try too hard. That's my 2 cents. And congrats, that's exciting!

[like2bike]

Do you have reason to believe the former instructors are that much different from you? I think I'd just go in there and do my thing, the best I can. Maybe if their music is really different from yours, maybe you could add in a crumb or two of what they are used to.

Pink you are so wise. You never cease to amaze me at how wonderful you are at hitting the nail on the head WRT the advice you share.

[jmd]

Do you have reason to believe the former instructors are that much different from you? I think I'd just go in there and do my thing, the best I can. Maybe if their music is really different from yours, maybe you could add in a crumb or two of what they are used to.

you know, you made me think here and i think i'm intimidated....like i won't be able to measure up! i like the idea of the music, although we are probably already similiar in that area. i'm going to stick to AT rides at first like moon suggested and go from there. now i just have to take on the challenge of being able to fill someone else's shoes....now where's that shot of confidence when i need it? :shock: thanks for the advice all! :D take care...jmd :D

[like2bike]

Jean you have what it takes. You are a strong, kind, loving person (just look at the family you've raised). Intimidated? By whom? Come on girl! I can guess that you have done many more things in your life that have presented themselves as WAY bigger challenges that you've met head on and conquored.

Be true to yourself--you don't have to "fill" anyone else's shoes---your own shoes fit just fine! :D

[AC]

Or....you can go in and do an absolute killer profile that leaves them weak and breatheless, and they walk out wondering if they really ever worked hard under the last instructor.

Guess which choice I would make?

I could always be the kick-ass instructor who cuts back on occasion, or I could be the new/humble/glad-just-to-be-here person, that when the class is done, people wonder if you're going to challenge them in the future.

Or I could be wrong...then again, what you've described, I've already done a dozen times.

[Pink]

I understand feeling nervous...in some ways that's good, it keeps us sharp. You have the training. You will be prepared. The class will shake out. I know when I took over my current classes, there were some who didn't like me as well as the past instructor, but there were those who liked me more. The ones who didn't like me enough to leave, opened up bikes for the newbies who possibly didn't like the previous one.

All this to say, be yourself, let your voice ring out and allow time for YOUR riders to find YOU.

[Moonsavvy]

Go in there, own it and envision yourself teaching there for the next 10 years!

The thing I like about all terrain or 'just ride' profiles is that as a participant you can highten the intensity or lower it, remember not everyone in your class is going to be veterans and the beauty of all terrains is that they feel like they have some control over how they ride. I also feel the most comfortable instructing these rides, I don't do cadence checks, I cut way back on my critiquing of form and I let them ride with feeling....it's awesome.

When I've taken classes over for "very popular" instructors I've gotten mixed reviews, it's really none of my business what they think about me, as long as you are true to yourself and ooze of self confidence people will respect that rather they like you or not. And some will like you right off the back, worry about those guys :D

[megale3]

moon that reminds me of a saying I saw sometime ago that intriged me.

Be the best version of the vision you see yourself to be.

[AC]

I'm always more intrugued about this "be true to yourself" line that's always put forth. What if your "true self" actually isn't very effective for the job you're hired to do. Most people who exhibit either introverted or extroverted personalities develope alternate personas to pursue things they enjoy. An introverted school teacher developes extroverted verbal speech skills to become a better teacher. People who enjoy being alone, can become effective presenters, salespeople, and even Spinning instructors, by just envisioning what personality they need to accomplish their goals and providing that to their audience/clients/students.

Your "true self" or being "true to yourself" is how you see yourself or what you want to accomplish and not necessarily who you actually are in private or with your family.

[like2bike]

ACE man, I think you're overthinking it. Hence, you're being true to yourself. :wink:

[lizardbiker]

I'm always more intrugued about this "be true to yourself" line that's always put forth. What if your "true self" actually isn't very effective for the job you're hired to do. Most people who exhibit either introverted or extroverted personalities develope alternate personas to pursue things they enjoy. An introverted school teacher developes extroverted verbal speech skills to become a better teacher. People who enjoy being alone, can become effective presenters, salespeople, and even Spinning instructors, by just envisioning what personality they need to accomplish their goals and providing that to their audience/clients/students.

Your "true self" or being "true to yourself" is how you see yourself or what you want to accomplish and not necessarily who you actually are in private or with your family.

We do it the democratic way, and vote on which personality gets to dominate - not that the other voices don't give advice after the selection has been made...

[jmd]

i know there is a fair amount of acting talent in us all...let's face it, we don't always feel like being the leader, coach, motivator everytime we step up tp the mic and get in the saddle, so we perform and become "our best self" at the time instead of the crabby self you'll show your family.

i truly appreciate the advice you've thrown my way, it's helped the nerves. you are right in saying up front that in reality there will be those who may not like me, and that's fine, my job will be to fill those empty bike with riders who do...i'm up for that! i'll keep you all posted, like everything else in life, this will be a journey! thank you for your support and candor! :D jmd

p.s. AC love your avatar! so if my probability skills are still sharp, if you are only 1/2 evil, then you must be 1/2....... NICE! :shock: yep, i knew you were :wink:

[Pink]

I'm always more intrugued about this "be true to yourself" line that's always put forth. What if your "true self" actually isn't very effective for the job you're hired to do. Most people who exhibit either introverted or extroverted personalities develope alternate personas to pursue things they enjoy. An introverted school teacher developes extroverted verbal speech skills to become a better teacher. People who enjoy being alone, can become effective presenters, salespeople, and even Spinning instructors, by just envisioning what personality they need to accomplish their goals and providing that to their audience/clients/students.

Your "true self" or being "true to yourself" is how you see yourself or what you want to accomplish and not necessarily who you actually are in private or with your family.

I think being true to yourself is a little like raising teenagers. We hope we gave them a firm foundation and when we send them out amongst their peers, they'll remember enough of that foundation to protect them from the really, really stupid stuff. I mean, they can stretch a little and do stupid stuff but hopefully the really really stupid stuff just isn't in them.

I had to come out of my shell in order to teach spin...but I could only do so up to a certain point. I'll never be the over-the-top-rah-rah gal so I guess I appeal to those who are looking for a quieter approach.

[Julibird]

We do it the democratic way, and vote on which personality gets to dominate - not that the other voices don't give advice after the selection has been made...

Lizard, you are so cute - in that John Stewart kind of way. Thanks for the laughs.

Julibird

[joyofspin]

We do it the democratic way, and vote on which personality gets to dominate - not that the other voices don't give advice after the selection has been made...

See herein lies the problem - all my voices are vying for their time - so I bring them all out duringclass - the cheerleader, the zen master, the dominatrix - you get the point.

[lizardbiker]

We do it the democratic way, and vote on which personality gets to dominate - not that the other voices don't give advice after the selection has been made...

See herein lies the problem - all my voices are vying for their time - so I bring them all out duringclass - the cheerleader, the zen master, the dominatrix - you get the point.

Wow! Never took a dominatrix spin class before...sign me up!

In any event, just keep being the great instructor you know you are.
You're a rock star performing on another stage with another audience, but once you get started, they'll all be moshing to your cues.

[AC]

I'm not how this crossed from developing compensating skills for either extroversion and introversion into a personality disorder/schizophrenia comparison, but you all go with that.

The point is having a persona that makes you more effective at a job/skill that you want to do, but may not seem natural. Not "acting" or being a buffoon or a cheerleader. Just being whatever you perceive it takes which sometimes takes us out of a personality comfort zone.

I might be overthinking this, but the "be true to yourself" mantra is such a Loser mantra. It's a built in excuse for defeat.

[Pink]

I'm not how this crossed from developing compensating skills for either extroversion and introversion into a personality disorder/schizophrenia comparison, but you all go with that.

The point is having a persona that makes you more effective at a job/skill that you want to do, but may not seem natural. Not "acting" or being a buffoon or a cheerleader. Just being whatever you perceive it takes which sometimes takes us out of a personality comfort zone.

I might be overthinking this, but the "be true to yourself" mantra is such a Loser mantra. It's a built in excuse for defeat.

Maybe it's semantics but I think of developing a persona to succeed in whatever task I am attempting as acting. If it's not natural, I am putting on an act. Actually, this is really interesting because, honestly, I didn't think I'd be able to get up in front of a class and teach. Josh & friend prodded & prodded me (Josh finally played the guilt card...) Anyhoo...I've a friend who owns a business, a personal development Dale Carnegie type of thing, that is very successful. She gets paid big bucks to go into Fortune 500 companies and work with employees. She was very helpful to me, telling me how to approach my tendency towards shyness. She taught me to approach classes like play-acting. And it started with the get-ups I wear to teach. I think of them as armor, I put them on and become someone else. It has certainly gotten easier, but it's still not natural.

Now y'all may think this is ridiculous and it may be so for those of you who's natural personality is more assertive. But it's how I needed to approach this. And it seems to be working so I'm sticking with it.

[Julibird]

Not "acting" or being a buffoon or a cheerleader. Just being whatever you perceive it takes which sometimes takes us out of a personality comfort zone.

I might be overthinking this, but the "be true to yourself" mantra is such a Loser mantra. It's a built in excuse for defeat.

Authenticity - is that the concept? Not fake - just keeping it real - and getting the job done in the best way you can - even if it's not in a way that is the usual MO.

Also, AC - I like your first suggestion - do a butt kick class to start with - then integrate the other facets of your stuff into the mix next time.

I recently took over a class from a favorite instructor who fills the room - I told the class up front "I, too am a student of "Suzy" who is great - and I can't be Suzy. My name is Julie and I'm going to do my own thing, this is what we are doing (explain ride) - I think you'll like it..."

Fast forward to applause after the class, happy riders who keep coming back, they like the different music... and all from an introvert. If I have to, I can command a room and it is a skill that I'm not totally comfortable with but the risk of putting it out there is a thrill.

Just go out there and rock it like you own it, Jean! Let us know how it goes.

[Moonsavvy]

Like Pink I never thought I would be teaching classes. What I have learned is to encorporate NEW values for myself. Things like leadership, inspiration, knowledge, ect...once I started deciding which values I wanted to add I could set goals to help me develop those values.

Now I'm transforming from an instructor who wants everyone to LIKE them into an instructor who values myself. It's a very beautiful transition, and that's what I consider being true to oneself. It's finding and developing skills that you never knew you had. There are no born loosers, just people who settle and when they fail they see themselves as failures.

It's also extremely important for instructors (IMO) to realize that not everyone is going to like them and to not take it personal. This is a little harder for people pleasers to do. I am a learned people pleaser, not a born people pleaser, it's taken much work but I'm starting to realize that life is much more rewarding when I value myself rather than value other people's opinions.

[AC]

I'm not how this crossed from developing compensating skills for either extroversion and introversion into a personality disorder/schizophrenia comparison, but you all go with that.

The point is having a persona that makes you more effective at a job/skill that you want to do, but may not seem natural. Not "acting" or being a buffoon or a cheerleader. Just being whatever you perceive it takes which sometimes takes us out of a personality comfort zone.

I might be overthinking this, but the "be true to yourself" mantra is such a Loser mantra. It's a built in excuse for defeat.

Maybe it's semantics but I think of developing a persona to succeed in whatever task I am attempting as acting. If it's not natural, I am putting on an act. Actually, this is really interesting because, honestly, I didn't think I'd be able to get up in front of a class and teach. Josh & friend prodded & prodded me (Josh finally played the guilt card...) Anyhoo...I've a friend who owns a business, a personal development Dale Carnegie type of thing, that is very successful. She gets paid big bucks to go into Fortune 500 companies and work with employees. She was very helpful to me, telling me how to approach my tendency towards shyness. She taught me to approach classes like play-acting. And it started with the get-ups I wear to teach. I think of them as armor, I put them on and become someone else. It has certainly gotten easier, but it's still not natural.

Now y'all may think this is ridiculous and it may be so for those of you who's natural personality is more assertive. But it's how I needed to approach this. And it seems to be working so I'm sticking with it.

People who tend naturally toward introversion, do not necessarily have to be considered shy. Introversion is just a comfort level with being by yourself, not really needing conversation or reinforcement to feel worthwhile or engaged. "Acting" in my definition, is playing a role from a script...more like being someone you are scripted to be (like the cheerleader, for example), in place of being someone you need to be at a specific time. Why should you be "The Cheerleader" if you don't feel effective in that role? But how many instructors do you see acting this way and looking totally uncomfortable? A person who acts is someone who always walks away saying "I shoulda said this or that" or an introvert not being effective attempting extroversion.

And just because someone is quiet, does not mean they lean in the direction of an introvert. And the opposite is also true.