Mentoring Program
The RMTC Mentoring Program is a unique program that centres on refining the teaching skills of the Tai Chi and Qigong instructor. Its goal is to provide instructors with a platform to develop their skills in communication, class planning and program development. Learn how to teach effectively and everything else will fall into place.
Teaching is an art, just as Tai Chi is an art. Teachers need to cue effectively, we need to explain simply and we need to continuously assess our effectiveness as an instructor. We should have a connection to our students. We should have the skills to create a community, to encourage a love of learning and confidence to challenge our students.
Teaching Tai Chi is not just about teaching a Form to students. The Form is just a way to practice the art of movement, breath and flow. Tai Chi instructors should have a tool box of different drills and exercises so that each class is challenging, interesting and enjoyable. Instructors should have an understanding of the learning process so they can gently guide the beginner student at a pace and level that is suitable. Instructors need to know how and when to challenge the more advanced students so their curiosity about the more complex principles and concepts is aroused. Instructors should be experts in navigating different personalities so the group runs smoothly and without conflict.
If you would like to develop your teaching skills, this Mentor Program would be well worth considering. Choose between a 6-month or 12-month program, which includes a monthly appraisal of your teaching and access to videos specifically to cultivate your teaching skills.
The Mentor Program is not a qualification. It is for instructors who are teaching classes and who have already successfully completed a Tai Chi or Qigong course. You may claim CECs if you are a member of AUSactive.
Your mentor will be Sifu Jenny, whose teaching experience spans 40 years. She is committed to providing support to all Tai Chi instructors. In a relaxed and non-judgmental way, she will offer feedback and provide alternative teaching methods. She will share in your delight as you develop as an instructor who can cater for all levels of ability and whose classes include a variety of exercises, drills and teaching methods.
She has been awarded the Australian Exercise Professional of the Year and the Victorian Group Exercise Instructor of the Year. Jenny is a well respected Tai Chi instructor and educator. You can learn more about the RMTC community and her teaching style, from a recent Student Survey.
Applying for the Mentoring Program is free
If you would like to be mentored by Jenny, please click here and complete the Enrolment Form. Once your application has been received, you will be asked to prepare a 15-minute video of your teaching a class of no less than 5 students. This video will determine if you are suitable for this program. If accepted, you can then choose either the 6-month or 12-month program. The 6-month mentoring program is AU$840, payable in 6 monthly instalments of AU$140. The 12-month program is AU$1200, payable in 12 monthly instalments of AU$100. All charges include GST.
You will then have access to videos and drills as well as documents with teaching strategies and tips on running a business. These will be available even after the mentoring period has expired.
Each month you will be asked to provide specific videos of your teaching your students (no less than 5 in a class). Videos need to show your teaching and your students following your instructions. They then need to be uploaded to Youtube. Video links need to be emailed by the last Friday of every month. Jenny will offer suggestions to enhance your teaching skills over the following month, with specific tasks to complete.
An example of the requirements of a 12-month Mentoring Program
Below is a sample of a 12-month mentoring program. Each month’s task will vary, depending upon each candidate’s experience and expertise in teaching. You will need to have permission from your students to video the class. These videos are not for public distribution and will not appear on any social media platform or website.
Free Appraisal: The first 15-minute video has been appraised after which, suggestions will be made and tasks will be set
Second Month: Send a 15-minute video, via a Youtube link, of you teaching a bare hand tai chi form to a class of no less than 5 students. Ask your students to complete Survey 1, analyse the data and email the results.
Third Month: Design a drill that you think would be appropriate to teach basic principles of movement. Send a 5-minute video, via Youtube link, of you teaching the drill to no less than 5 students
Fourth Month: Design a drill that you think would be appropriate to teach movement patterns of a tai chi Form. Video yourself completing this drill and send it to Jenny. Consider creating a monthly Newsletter - email your ideas to Jenny
Fifth Month: Teach the drill you designed and prepare a new Qigong exercise to teach to your students. Qigong exercises can be found with a Google search, in the Mentor Program videos, or you can choose an exercise from a Shibashi set. Send a Video 5 minute video, via Youtube of your instruction in mirror image
Sixth Month: Practice a drill from the Teaching Strategies document and present it to the class. Video 5 minutes, including teaching in mirror image and participant image.
Seventh Month: Send a 20 minute video, via Youtube of your class including warm-up, relaxation and Tai Chi
Eighth Month: Learn the Compass drill and teach it to your class - you can begin with the legs only, but may include arms
Ninth Month: Learn 2 more Qigong exercises and present these to the class in mirror image. Send a 30-minute video, via Youtube link, of the class.
Tenth Month: Choose a different side of the room to teach and video the entire session, emailing the Youtube link.
Eleventh Month: Learn the drill based on the Beijing 24 (or similar Form) and teach it to the class. Send a 10 minute video, via Youtube link. Complete the Self Evaluation questionnaire and return email (PDF or JPG)
Twelfth Month: Appraisal of your Professional Development and Certificate. The mentee is encouraged to continue emailing Jenny with questions over the next 6 months.
6-month Mentoring Program
Free Appraisal: Send a 15 minute video via Youtube link, of your teaching a warm-up and relaxation/Qigong to a class of no less than 5 students (Free). This video will determine if Jenny will be able to mentor you over the next 12 months. If so, she will provide you with an appraisal and suggestions in ways to enhance your teaching skills over the next month.
Second Month: Send a 15 minute video, via a Youtube link, of you teaching a bare hand tai chi form to a class of no less than 5 students. Ask your students to complete Survey 1, analyse the data and email the results.
Third Month: Design a drill that you think would be appropriate to teach movement patterns of a tai chi Form. Video yourself completing this drill and send it to Jenny. Consider creating a monthly Newsletter - email your ideas to Jenny
Fourth Month: Prepare a new Qigong exercise to teach to your students. Qigong exercises can be found with a Google search, the Member portal, or you can choose an exercise from a Shibashi set. Send a 5 minute video, via Youtube of your instruction in mirror image
Fifth Month: Choose a different side of the room to teach and video the entire session, emailing the Youtube link.
Sixth Month: Appraisal of your Professional Development and Certificate. The mentee is encouraged to continue emailing Jenny with questions over the next 3 months.
Mentor Program
Refund and Cancellation Policy: Once payment (or part payment) has been made, and course materials have been accessed, no refunds can be issued. Please note, extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances and are at the discretion of the facilitator.
Read what people have said about the Mentoring Program:
“Having worked with quite a few instructors over the years in different martial arts I was a little unsure at first but I quickly realised, having discussed it with Jenny, and looked at her website, that this is what I needed to progress.”
"Jenny is a natural communicator. Her expertise as a trained educator shows in the way she teaches and she teaches the finer details of learning tai chi - the mental, spiritual, physical and emotional. Jenny is very generous with her knowledge and oh so patient."
“My satisfaction after completing the Mentoring Program is 5/5”
"This has challenged me in all the right ways."
"I am extremely pleased with the programme. Jenny’s knowledge of tai chi and qigong and the way she understands her students is second to none."
“My goal was to be more confident as an instructor and as my classes have doubled over the last 18 months I think that has been achieved. I realise I still have a long way to go but I know I am now on the right track.”
"Through Jenny I have developed as an instructor. I have learned how to teach with the right amount of patience and understanding to my students’ needs. She has taught me to work in mirror image and cueing correctly. I have a lot more confidence and control now. My students can work in small groups and independently and they smile and laugh a lot. "
"I think one of the most important things I have learned is that there is a lot more to internal martial arts than I probably realised. I think teaching is the best way to learn but you need help. My skills have definitely improved and developed over the last 18 months thanks to Jenny and the programme. "
“My participants have certainly noticed a change since I began the Mentoring Program.”
"Without question I would recommend the Mentoring Programme to anyone who wants to further their understanding and teaching of tai chi and qigong. "
"The programme is worth every English penny if you want to enhance your understanding, knowledge and teaching skills. I have worked under many good instructors but Jenny is top notch. I’d personally like to thank her for all her help and hope that one day I can catch a class in Melbourne!"