I’m not talking about coaches or high-level teachers. I’m talking about preschool, beginner, and intermediate instructional teachers. I’m going to talk about those obvious, but must-have attributes that make you the kind of teacher that every parent wants their child to have. The kind of teacher that kids scream your name when they see you outside the gym… the kind of teacher that kids adore and parents want their kids to grow up to be like. That is the kind of teacher who makes a great wage, because they are so valuable to their gym…the kind that every gym owner will bend over backwards to keep. Just like the one you’re thinking of right now who made 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 fix them. These mistakes can be corrected with knowledge, the desire to be better, but then it takes action to do so.

I. Not using progressions- You need to have a system where a sub can see what to teach the kids when you’re not there, to keep for legal purposes, and to show the parents how much their kids are learning. And, if you teach more than a few classes, how in the world can you remember what each class needs to do?

II. Teaching preschool like school-age- Preschool classes need more defined lesson plans and they need fun props. You need to use a different voice inflection, different music, and they just need a lot of lovin! And, with preschoolers, you need very specific instructions.

III. Not realizing that you can teach school-age almost like preschool-You can use some of the same drills, 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 the older ones. For examples hand and foot prints when needed, bean bag between the ankles to keep their legs together for rolls, and a ball to bring their knees up while doing tuck jumps on the trampoline.

IV. Making too many stations-confusing activity and instruction-One-on-one training is the key to true instruction. Don’t get caught up using too many stations and thinking a lot of activity is the key to a good class. Turning out good gymnasts and your students having a good time are the keys to a good class.

V. Not having fun with the kids- Preschoolers love the theme lesson plans like nursery rhymes, dinosaur week, and outer space week. They want kind teachers and fun with their classmates. For school-age kids, just learning new skills, making new friends, and getting awards is fun. Make the kids feel special and not only remember their names, but know their hobbies, their likes, and their pets. Remember their story from last week and send them notes in the mail, a birthday card, and an “I’m proud of you” postcard occasionally. Go above and beyond and create a true relationship with the student and their family.

VI. Not repeating skill names or reviewing at the end of class- What does every parent 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 skill names, it hasn’t been learned. Review what you did with them at the end of class.

VII. Not including parents- Use memos, newsletters, and parent-teacher conferences to relay information to parents and to keep them in the loop about what their children are learning. Creating a relationship with the parents secures the customer service triangle of teacher, parent, and child. They will become your ambassadors to the outside world and bring in more students via positive word of mouth about your business.

VIII. Not giving enough awards- Kids love to get them and parents love to see their kids happy. Moms will put certificates into scrapbooks and display those trophies and medals on shelves in the house for all to see. That is a great marketing tool.

IX. Not keeping to your word- When you’re disciplining a child, your word is golden. Also, when you’re promising you’ll call the parent or find out an answer for them, by all means, do it! Keep your word!

X. Giving the students control- Don’t ask them what they want to do, make the lesson plan ahead of time and stick to it…UNLESS it isn’t working, then it’s your job to change it. The first day of class is the key to creating respect and trust. Don’t have kids warm-up the class or spot other students. Be sure they’re in the proper attire for their safety. It’s your job.

XI. Forgetting that each child is different- Every child learns a different way and because of that, you must deliver the lesson using these methods: auditory by explaining the skill, visual by demonstrating the skill, and kinesthetic by spotting them on the skill. Keep this mantra in your head, Tell, Show, Spot! Every child’s personality is unique and may need a different approach. Be aware of their fitness level and adjust for that. Celebrate their uniqueness and make them feel special in their body.

XII. Not letting the enthusiasm shine that you have for kids and gymnastics!- If you don’t have it, go flip hamburgers at McDonalds instead of flipping kids at a gym school. The word enthusiasm comes from a Greek word, “en theos” meaning God within. Look at the last four letters of the word, I-A-S-M. It could stand for I AM SOLD ON MYSELF. If you are sold on your abilities, your school and what it stands for, and you have a love of children, your enthusiasm will shine… and so will you!