Top Tips For Teaching Yoga In Schools - Tip #27: Connect and Converse with Educators
HI there, and welcome back!
It’s late on Sunday night before the last full week of the longest school year ever, and it’s my last Sunday scaries night of the school year!
I spent time on Saturday night with a group of local educators here in Baltimore for a virtual gathering, and got to spend time with two of my dearest friends (who also happen to be educators) today, and it got me thinking about the importance of the educator community as a means of support.
And so, I want to share this week’s tip with you, which offers some practice advice on ways to connect and converse with educators in your school(s) and community.
Enjoy, and please share your thoughts on this tip in the comments.
Tip #27: Connect and Converse With Educators
This week, I want to remind you of the importance of connecting and conversing with educators in your community, and / or in the communities you want to teach in. These conversations are incredibly valuable, in and of themselves, even if they don’t lead to a job for you.
Why?
The answer is two-fold:
The best way to get your foot in the door is to connect with educators you already know who are working in schools. Whether it’s someone you know personally, or a friend of a friend, or your child’s former teacher, make a point to connect with this person, and share your vision with them. My principal shares this sentiment. He says that having someone on staff as a reference or as someone who can make an introduction for you allows school leaders to know that you’re someone who quite possibly will be a good fit for the school / position, which will go a long way in the interview / hiring process.
The best way to market yourself to schools is to speak to their needs, while speaking their language. Listen to these educators as they talk about their school, and the needs of their students. Take notes. Listen as they talk about pain points, needs that aren’t being met, and initiatives their administrators are backing.
Tip Takeaway: Seek out opportunities to connect and converse with educators, even if it’s over tea or coffee, or at your child’s soccer game. Remember that this should be a two-way conversation. Share your vision with them, because chances are that they know a teacher or an administrator either at their school or elsewhere, who is eager to incorporate yoga and / or mindfulness into their school day. Then, listen and learn as they speak about their experiences, because when you have a better understanding of what schools needs, you’re better able to tailor your program to them. You have to learn to speak to them, using their language, and you’ll be so much more powerful when you do.