shaki_fan
New member
Hey ladies, I have a moral dilemma and feel lost.
I've been a regular for over 4 years with a great teacher. I was "monoinstructorous" until a year ago when I started with another fabulous teacher, and when my old teacher found out, she was apprehensive despite my reassurance that I was still committed. My new teacher knew I had another and still took me in with wide open arms.
At one point my old teacher surprisingly asked me never to teach because I would be competing with her. At that stage, teaching was beyond my wildest imagination and I wouldn't want to step on her toes, so I agreed wholeheartedly.
Since then, my new teacher has asked me to cover for her... I've declined despite being honoured to have even been asked, but I'm starting to really want to say yes... I'm no teacher, of course, but an ok substitute? Well, she thinks so... and although I remain humble and realistic about my level, the only reason I still say no is because it's forbidden (and I've subbed for my old teacher before!).
All my friends say that I should just teach and not say anything, arguing that no one can tell me what not to do, but my morals are giving me a hard time.
I want to substitute-teach because it's a whole new level in my belly dance journey. I don't want to sub-teach because bellymom says no, and if she found out, she'd likely disown me (it's happened to others). What do I do?!? Do I teach and not tell? Teach and tell? Not teach and keep my head down? In theory, I'm competition, but in practice? I'd just sub for a day here and there, and there is no student overlap other than myself... who is in the wrong? I feel a bit choked. Teachers, how would you react to a student in my position?
Thanks so much for any feedback!!
I've been a regular for over 4 years with a great teacher. I was "monoinstructorous" until a year ago when I started with another fabulous teacher, and when my old teacher found out, she was apprehensive despite my reassurance that I was still committed. My new teacher knew I had another and still took me in with wide open arms.
At one point my old teacher surprisingly asked me never to teach because I would be competing with her. At that stage, teaching was beyond my wildest imagination and I wouldn't want to step on her toes, so I agreed wholeheartedly.
Since then, my new teacher has asked me to cover for her... I've declined despite being honoured to have even been asked, but I'm starting to really want to say yes... I'm no teacher, of course, but an ok substitute? Well, she thinks so... and although I remain humble and realistic about my level, the only reason I still say no is because it's forbidden (and I've subbed for my old teacher before!).
All my friends say that I should just teach and not say anything, arguing that no one can tell me what not to do, but my morals are giving me a hard time.
I want to substitute-teach because it's a whole new level in my belly dance journey. I don't want to sub-teach because bellymom says no, and if she found out, she'd likely disown me (it's happened to others). What do I do?!? Do I teach and not tell? Teach and tell? Not teach and keep my head down? In theory, I'm competition, but in practice? I'd just sub for a day here and there, and there is no student overlap other than myself... who is in the wrong? I feel a bit choked. Teachers, how would you react to a student in my position?
Thanks so much for any feedback!!
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