Editorial

From Bill Boyd

When doing public speaking seminars I frequently use this story. “A refrigerated truck driver was taking a load of penguins to the zoo. When he experienced mechanical difficulties on the highway and called for repairs and a tow, he found that it would be over several hours before either would arrive. Fearful that the penguins would suffer without the cooling effect of his refrigeration the trucker got on his CB radio and called another trucker for assistance and help soon arrived. He told his fellow trucker, I will give you three hundred dollars to take these penguins to the zoo. The other trucker said he would, and left immediately. After a long delay, the first trucker was towed into town for repairs and lo and behold, he saw the other trucker walking down the street with several penguins trailing behind.

He stopped him and said, “I thought I asked you to take these penguins to the zoo!”

�gI did”, he replied. “I had money left over so now I am taking them to a movie.”

I try and remember this story when ever I am teaching a class. What you say and what people hear may be two different things. We as instructors must always keep in mind, if the student doesn’t understand what we are teaching, we must find another way to tell, show, demonstrate or write out for their edification. Many square dance instructors start by giving the definition of a call and then expanding on that definition. We must understand, if the student does not grasp your call from the way you explained it, he probably will not understand the call if you repeat what you said the first time. You must find (it is usually best to be prepared in advance) other ways of showing, telling or having the dancer experience the call. One of the most enjoyable things any teacher of any subject taught is seeing success in their students. Whether teaching dancing, speaking, algebra or English, seeing the satisfied look of success on our students is all the praise we need.