Getting Started Teaching
Things to Consider
- Although I am a great artist - am I a great teacher?
- Will I still love this if it becomes my "job?"
- Do I have more than one area of expertise with which to develop a class curriculum?
- Can I keep creating new and exciting classes and class samples while trying to manage a heavy schedule?
- How do I create my class supply list?
- Should I ever include patterns with my supply list or hand them out in class?
- Is there a best size for class samples for ease in packing, carrying, etc.?
- How many samples will I need for a class?
- How do I handle it if I am teaching the techniques of my copyrighted quilts and one of my students copies my quilt designs outside of class?
- How often do I want to be on the road,or in an airport?
- Am I comfortable in any climate or do I want to limit the geographic areas where I will travel?
- Am I willing and able to travel overseas?
- Am I physically capable of handling teaching supplies and traveling gear?
- Is online teaching an option for me?
- How can I engage and orchestrate students on different levels in the same class?
- How do I handle a difficult student who takes up too much of my teaching time or interupts me constantly?
- What if I am booked via contract for teaching and I get sick right before I am due to teach or I perhaps have an accident, etc.?
- How do I avoid burnout?
- If I am teaching at quilt shows, do I need to do anything differently from what I would do if I am visiting a guild or other quilting group?
- How will teaching in a quilt store vary from teaching in a guild or other quilting group?
- Will I need to teach a class that uses the fabrics that the shop sells?
- What do I need to know if I get asked to teach on television?
- Do I want to sell "class kits" ?
- How can I handle the situation if a student shows up in class without all of the necessary items for making the quilt or other item? Should I carry extra fabric that can be purchased by the student?
- Is it OK to sell one of my quilts to a student who wants to buy it?
- Should I have a price list in advance?
- Do I have a sense of how long should different classes should run?
- Am I willing to negotiate on my fees?
- Do I use the same fee schedule or do I change it based on the size of the group I am teaching?
- Am I willing to stay at someone's home, or do I make a hotel stay a "must" in a contract?
- Do I have the energy and the know-how to "self-market" myself?
- Am I willing to write a book to help me expand my horizons for teaching?
- How do I handle my home life when I'm away?
Key Elements
- Create a Contract. Example Teaching Contract
- Create organized Handouts outlining the class and any demos/procedures (both in print and electronic-make available for download on your website)
- Create Class Supply List with Resources - ask for feedback and continually improve the process (both in print and electronic-make available for download on your website)
- Create a Packing List for each Class/Lecture to organize yourself quickly and effectively