I’m not talking about high-level coaches or teachers. I’m talking about teachers of preschool, beginning and intermediate instruction. I’m going to talk about those obvious but essential attributes that make you the kind of teacher that all parents want their children to have. The kind of teacher that kids call out your name to when they see you outside the gym… the kind of teacher that kids love and parents want their kids to be when they grow up. That’s the type of teacher that earns a great salary, because they are so valuable to their gym…the type of teacher that every gym owner would bend over backwards to keep. Just like the one you’re thinking right now that he had an impact on your life. This is the kind of teacher YOU can be!

Let’s look at 12 mistakes teachers make and how we can correct them. These mistakes can be corrected with knowledge, wanting to be better, but then steps are taken to do so.

I. Do not use progressions: You must have a system where a surrogate can see what to teach children when you are not there, for legal purposes and to show parents how much their children are learning. And, if you teach more than a few classes, how on earth can you remember what each class needs to do?

II. PRESCHOOL LIKE SCHOOL-AGE TEACHING: Preschool classes need more defined lesson plans and need fun props. You need to use a different voice inflection, different music, and they just need lots of love! And, with preschoolers, you need very specific instructions.

Third Not realizing that you can teach school age almost like a preschooler, you can use some of the same exercises, stations, and equipment that you use for your little ones, but you need to give your instructions in a different voice and tone. Be sure to use many of the same props you use in preschool to teach older ones. For example, hand and foot prints when needed, a bean bag between the ankles to keep the legs together for rolling, and a ball to lift the knees while jumping on the trampoline.

IV. Make too many stations that confuse activity and instruction. One-on-one training is the key to true instruction. Don’t get caught up in using too many stations and thinking that lots of activity is the key to a good class. Bringing out good gymnasts and having your students have fun are the keys to a good class.

V. Not having fun with the kids: Preschoolers love themed lesson plans like nursery rhymes, dinosaur week, and outer space week. They want friendly teachers and fun with their classmates. For school-age children, learning new skills, making new friends, and earning prizes is fun. Make the children feel special and not only remember their names, but also get to know their hobbies, their tastes and their pets. Recall their story from last week and send them notes in the mail, a birthday card, and an “I’m proud of you” postcard from time to time. Go above and beyond and create a true relationship with the student and her family.

SAW. Do not repeat the names of the skills or review them at the end of the class. What do all parents ask when a child gets in the car after class? “What did you do? And “Did you have fun?” If they can’t remember the names of the skills, they haven’t been learned. Go over what he did with them at the end of class.

VII. Parents not included: Use memos, newsletters, and parent-teacher conferences to convey information to parents and keep them informed about what their children are learning. Building a relationship with parents ensures the customer service triangle of teacher, parent, and child. They will become your ambassadors to the outside world and attract more students through positive word of mouth about your business.

VII. Not giving enough treats – kids love getting them and parents love seeing their kids happy. Moms will put the certificates in scrapbooks and display those trophies and medals on the shelves of the house for all to see. That is a great marketing tool.

IX. Not keeping your word: When you are disciplining a child, your word is gold. Also, when you promise that she will call the parents or find an answer for them, by all means, do it! Keep your word!

X. Give students control: don’t ask them what they want to do, make the lesson plan ahead of time and stick with it… UNLESS it’s not working, then it’s your job to change it. The first day of school is the key to building respect and trust. Do not have children warm up in class or watch other students. Make sure they are in the right place for your safety. It’s your job.

XI. Forget that every child is different: every child learns differently and so you should deliver the lesson using these methods: auditory when explaining the skill, visual when demonstrating the skill, and kinesthetic when pointing at the skill. Keep this mantra in your head, Tell, Show, Spot! Each child’s personality is unique and may require a different approach. Take into account his fitness level and adjust to that. Celebrate his uniqueness and make them feel special in his body.

XII. Not letting your enthusiasm for kids and gymnastics shine through! – If you don’t have it, go flip burgers at McDonalds instead of flipping the kids at a gym school. The word enthusiasm comes from a Greek word, “en theos,” which means God within. Look at the last four letters of the word, IASM. It could mean I AM SOLD MYSELF. If you’re convinced of your abilities, your school and what you stand for, and you love kids, your enthusiasm will shine through…and so will you!