"You have to ask yourself what you can bring to the table to compensate for what you lack."

A very good point of course. I don't suppose passion and heart would be a good enough answer. I have had people ask me if I'm an instructor, (to which I always reply, no.) but it does feel good when someone asks because (to me) it means I must be inspiring in some way to them. (Or, they are just so new at it that what I do looks good!) And that does feel good. But having to say no....doesn't of course. Thanks again for your reply.

There is a ballroom dance teacher's program in San Francisco, run by Diane Jarmelow (not sure of spelling). You can find out about it on dancevision.com.

Thank you Ellen for your response. I do know about the program run by Diane Jarmelow. I'm in the NY/NJ area however. I sure do with there was something like that around here! If anyone knows of one, let me know.

Thanks!

In NY, look up Bill Davies for teacher training. Think he's at Dance New York, but maybe somewhere else.

Thank BA, I believe he was at Dancesport recently.

Hi, I just wanted to give some support if not so much advice. I have a very similar story in that I had never competed or even danced much ballroom before I started my teaching training. I was teaching ballet and modern (contemporary) and pilates and went to a Fred Astaire that was advertising for a new ballet teacher.

It was a very small Fred Astaire in a small community in Ohio and they really helped me a lot to get my teaching qualification quickly (but I had to work hard for it). I taught at Fred Astaire for two years before moving to the UK. I've recently started working at a studio in London who were more impressed with my drive and teaching ability than my technique and are now apprenticing me to get my ISTD exams.

I have done a few competitions now and am hoping to do more- starting to train with a guy at my studio. I always feel like I don't have enough qualifications or an impressive resume but if you have the passion, you can do it. You just have to prove to people that you want it and you have to work hard.

Now, I am in the studio everyday practicing so I can take my exams as soon as possible and the owners know that even though I can't teach many lessons now, I will make a good teacher because I am dedicated.

So, hang in there, you just need to find the right people to help you out. And don't write off Fred Astaires or Arthur Murrays- there are some good ones out there and they can be a good springboard to something else.

Good Luck!

Dancesweetp, thanks so much for your supportive comments, I really appreciate it. It seems you have the drive and dedication and found the right path for yourself. Good luck to you too! I think you are right, with the right help from the right people and right amount of passion and hard work it can be done. Thanks again!

I think that it is wonderful that you want to teach what you know!! I myself am trying to round up some students to teach. I do recommend trying to compete and maybe do some performing. Just to get the feel of it. But other than that, if you feel confident in it, do what you can. Good luck to you!

Anyone who has trouble with "selling" will never be a good teacher of anything. Teaching is selling as simple as that. If your teachers in school didn't "sell" you the material then you probably sat there bored and learned nothing. Second, businesses are about selling, look at any private school or college. Once you understand this it is not as ominous as it seems. I have been teaching High School, College and Dance for 15 years and I am really good at my job, because I understand this one fact. Selling is simply creating excitement. Isn't that what we all want?

Well said in reference to the dreaded "s" word that selling is simply creating excitement. In everyday life we are selling all the time without even thinking about it. You buy a new car that you love. Don't you tell everyone about it's wonderful features and how great it rides? If someone you told went out and bought the same car you would be pleased with yourself that they trusted you and now they are happy too. If you sell what you believe in and not to simply make a dollar, then it is a good thing. A very successful studio owner said to me " We teach people dancing so they can live there dreams and all we get in return is there lousy money". Of course we get much more than that in return but he does make a good point.