The Training of a Teaching Assistant

Once again, my wife and I spent much of our free time last month in a hot ballroom at the University of Calgary, trying out for a pair of teaching assistant positions with the Ballroom Dance Club. We've done this a couple times before, but the training is always tough. They teach advanced patterns to see how well you can learn something new, and apply the dance concepts you already know.

The hardest one this year was a complicated spinning Tango pattern. Success to me was getting through without losing my balance. Even the most experienced dancers were having a problem making it look graceful. There was a moderately complicated Samba pattern I didn't have too much trouble with, once I got it firmly in my hands and feet when the hand change and half turn happened.

Oh, did I mention that we have to learn to both lead and follow in each pattern? The professionals feel this promotes a greater understanding of dance, and enables you to help anyone in the regular classes. At first it's hard, but you get used to it. The basic steps practice goes quickly as we practice solo. The pro tells us, "Fox-trot, men's part, forward basic, back basic, 5, 6, 7, 8." Onward. Then the ladies part. Then in partners, usually with the lady leading, then the man leads. We do it again till the pro is satisfied. Then we do Cha-Cha-Cha the same way. Then Rumba, then Waltz, then East Coast Swing, then Two Step. This is Calgary, after all, home of the Calgary Stampede.

Sometimes at the end of a nights practice I don't know if I'm coming or going, but this year isn't so bad. Except for the Tango pattern, everything we learn builds on stuff I already know. It's becoming easier for me to recognize patterns, and understand where they can be broken apart to insert some other element.

My posture, or the lack of it, has attracted the negative attention of one of the pros. In addition to learning all the rest of the dance stuff, now I have to think about standing up straight. Usually when you are thinking about one element of your dancing, something else goes to pot. I'll be thinking about how to get into some particular pattern, or out of it, and I'll hear Kim telling me to "get that chest out, and stand up!" I suppose this is good for me. Just like eating vegetables.

In the end, we were selected. We had hopes of dancing for the level 2 students, but were asked to do level 1. This is OK for several reasons. There is such a feeling of accomplishment in helping beginners. Almost anything you help them with will make them a better dancer. It isn't like you have to watch for some subtle foot position. The location and timing of the particular class we'll be working with fits into our schedule quite well. Plus, I'm taking some programming courses at SAIT, starting next week. I expect to be fairly busy until the end of October.