Why I teach.

[ladyviola5]

There have been a lot of kinda disturbing conversations on tribe in the last few days where a lot of the younger dancers need to be smacked mentoring and guidance.  One, in the ATS tribe, posted a sarcastic list of things she wanted to tell students before they got started.  The thread veered off course into a discussion on whether you should teach

Comments

[smatterings]

First of all, you're a great writer.

Secondly, you're a tremendous dancer and a true (read: hard-working) artist. Though I don't get out to see you as often as I'd like, I'm really glad you're in our town (for now!).

One of the best things about running a poetry joint is that I am constantly reminded that (much as I might lazily imagine otherwise) I have NO IDEA what people are capable of. When someone walks in, I instantly and subconsciously appraise them. Half the time once they get up to share with us, I discover that I was completely wrong. Almost as often, a poet starts off doing one thing, and within a few weeks, they are in an entirely new place after cross-pollinating with the other poets.

I think the whole _point_ of doing art in a collaborative manner is to remind yourself that every person can surprise you, that everyone deserves respect, and that the only to get to know someone is ... well ... to get to KNOW them.