Key Takeaways from “What My Embarrassing Salsa Class Taught Me About Teaching Online After 40”

1. Empathy for Beginners: Experiencing something new, like salsa dancing, is a reminder of how overwhelming it can feel to be a beginner. As an educator, it’s crucial to empathize with students and start at their level.
2. The Curse of Knowledge: Experts often forget how little beginners know, leading to assumptions that learners are more advanced than they are. Avoid this by simplifying instructions and checking for understanding.
3. Break Down Complex Topics: Teaching should involve breaking complex concepts into bite-sized steps, allowing learners to build confidence with each small win before progressing.
4. Progression is Key: Like learning salsa steps, courses should follow a logical progression. Start with foundational skills, practice them, and gradually introduce more complex ideas.
5. Gamification and Rewards: Adding progress markers, leaderboards, or celebratory features (like digital confetti) helps keep learners motivated and engaged.
6. Teaching is About Growth, Not Showing Off: Effective instructors adapt to their students’ skill levels, focusing on helping them grow rather than showcasing their expertise.
7. The Power of Community: Peer interaction and support, as seen in the salsa class partner rotations, enhance learning by fostering accountability and shared growth.
8. Provide a Clear Learning Path: Students need a structured roadmap to see where they’re starting, what’s next, and how each step builds toward mastery.
9. Use Feedback to Improve: Regularly ask for feedback to ensure content is accessible and meets the needs of learners. Adjust teaching methods as necessary.
10. Remember Beginner Struggles: Reflect on your own challenges as a beginner to create relatable, supportive, and effective content that meets learners where they are.

This framework ties into the importance of empathy, structure, and engagement in teaching, applicable across courses, communities, and training sites.