This past weekend, I had the pleasure of working with a group of teacher trainees on the business and art of teaching yoga. The group was inquisitive and thoughtful and there were so many great questions I couldn't possibly answer them all in one day.
By the end of our session I had a stack of unanswered questions that I brought home and over the next few weeks, as I work through answering these great Q’s, I will share my thoughts here on the blog. I hope that this will spark conversation in the teaching community and invite you to share your insights here in the comment section of the blog.
Q: Is it easy and realistic to find a yoga studio willing to hire new graduate, part-time teachers for evening and weekend classes?
For a new teacher with a full time career elsewhere, the biggest hurdle to working at a studio is that evening and weekend classes are considered “prime time”. Since most yoga students work 9-5 jobs, studios typically reserve prime time classes for their most popular and experienced instructors.
While I have heard of new teachers landing a coveted Saturday morning or Monday night class, most studios offer busier classes to their long standing teachers first since they don’t need to worry about whether a tried and trusted teacher can lead a packed class safely and with confidence.
That being said, if you are a great teacher, it doesn’t matter if you have been teaching for two years or ten. If you are a community builder who can engage students and get them excited to come to class week after week then it may not be a challenge to hold down a prime time spot.
However, it is not the norm so here are a few things you could try instead:
Get on the sub list
Although many studios hire purely on an “audition” basis, the best way to prove you are professional and reliable (on top of being a solid teacher) is to be helpful when the studio needs a hand. I got my start at a big studio as a new teacher by stepping in last minute for the owner who was in a bind. She was so grateful that when they were ready to hire teachers I was on top of her list.
Be part of the community
From the perspective of the studio owner, would you rather hire a new teacher who regularly came to class and is a warm, welcoming and active part of your student community, or would you hire someone don't know who emailed you a resume one day?
If you find a studio you want to teach at, be part of the community. Meet the teachers, the owner, other students and when you inquire about openings be sure to let the manager know you are a fan of what they are creating and want to be an even bigger part of that.
Get more experience
I know a teacher who graduated from a training, had an audition with a studio but the owner felt they weren’t quite ready for a class of their own. Did that stop this teacher?
No way.
After re-doubled efforts in both their personal practice and refining their teaching skills, this teacher continued to audition and now holds down classes that had previously been reserved for senior teachers only.
If at first you don’t land the class you were hoping for, do not give up. Take the feedback you are given, go back into the lab and hone your skills. Let the decision maker at the studio know you would like to try again in the future after integrating their comments.
The mark of a true professional is being able to take feedback as helpful, not personal.
Trust me, studio owners will be impressed and interested to work with teachers who are willing to grow and try again.
What tips do you have for a part time teacher aspiring to land a studio class? Share your thoughts in the comments below.