[Tango-L] "Stay away from self appointed tango teachers." Re:Public Service Announcement (2nd Law)

[steve pastor]

  That's all I can stand. I can't stands no more. 
  Enough already with this distinction between "Teachers" and "wanna be teachers". 
  I say if someone is willing to share their knowledge with you, maybe you could learn what you can from them. 
  It seems to me that most everyone who calls themselves a "teacher" of tango has, one way or another, appointed themselves as a "Teacher". 
  Who exactly, pray tell, decides who is a teacher of tango? 
  Although I have had one (count 'em, one) woman walk away because "you aren't supposed to teach on the dance floor", and have had others let me know either verbally or non-verbally that they weren't open to input, the majority of women who have started to do tango more recently than I have are thankful that someone is willing to explain things to them. And, oddly enough, at the not tango dance venues I frequent, the number of women that are willing to accept input is much higher. There is a selection process going on there of course. Not coincidently, at those other places people aren’t constantly told to beware of people who "want to be teachers". 
  When people share information freely, both misinformation and information is exchanged. So be it. I routinely share the names of those I think are good at teaching with those who seem truly interested in learning, and I certainly hope that people will do "fact checking" regarding what I tell them. 
  It took me into my 30's to know with certainty that all knowledge doesn't come from those we agree to call "teacher" or "professor". I'm not going back.
  And, oh by the way, just last Sunday two different women I dance with shared with me what was basically the same helpful tip. I welcomed this input, and plan to start using it. Were they "teaching"? Call it what you want. Just don't denigrate it.
  Sometimes "the rules" are counter productive. 

   

		
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