Having just spent a week with two genius Nia dance trainers — Helen Terry and Kellie Chambers — I’ve been thinking about what makes people good teachers and good mentors.
A quick check online reveals there are many thousands of words written on this topic. I liked this list from Arizona State University: https://heysunny.asu.edu/blog/want-mentor-here-are-5-keys-choosing-and-approaching-right-one
Here’s my short list, all inspired by the week-long retreat with Helen and Kellie.
- They are comfortable in their own knowledge, both its extent and its limitations.
- They ask questions, lots of questions, to help draw out what their students know and don’t know. They fill in the blanks with a generosity of spirit.
- They seek to help their students be more profoundly themselves, not a follower of someone else’s wisdom but a being with the skills to look within in the effort we all share to build a healthy meaningful life.
I came away with good tools — both physical and mental — inspired and energized to put them to use.
Susan Palmer's Exquisite Now 