I’ve met many a craft expert. Not all of them made good craft teachers. It’s also equally true that not all craft teachers are craft experts. But some qualities are essential in both. You won’t necessarily get the two together – unless you know matters most to you at the time.
Ok. So we all know the qualities and skills that make someone a craft expert. What are they?
- Standard of excellence in their particular craft
- Considerable experience in choosing and using appropriate materials
- Competence and confidence in applying skills to new craft areas
- Extending their knowledge by continued development and study
- The ability to use what they know with other craft techniques
- Knowing their chosen subject. Inside out
Quite an achievement, no?
And whilst these may apply to a single craft discipline, someone with all these skills may be able to call themselves an expert in a number of craft –related fields.
And what can we say of a Craft Expert’s ability to share their knowledge?
Well teaching may come as natural to them – or it may not. I’ve sat in on classes where the ‘expert’ left me dumb-founded, and the non-expert student had to use their considerable unrated-expertise to explain things to the rest of us.
So a craft expert doesn’t necessarily make a great craft teacher.
So what of the Craft Teacher.
Well they might not be experts in everything they teach. Their skill may be in calling on experts whose knowledge they can share with others.
For teaching purposes they only need to be one step ahead of their students. – whatever level their classes may start at – there will come a point at which the student excels the teacher. And in my opinion, as a teacher, that’s pure magic!
So what skills should we be applauding in a craft teacher?
I’ve met many a craft expert. Not all of them made good craft teachers. It’s also equally true that not all craft teachers are craft experts. But some qualities are essential in both. You won’t necessarily get the two together – unless you know matters most to you at the time.
- The ability to explain clearly and logically
- The creation of step by step handouts or instructions
- Being able to enthuse, motivate, demonstrate their craft
- Being comfortable with sharing craft skills with groups, and individuals within groups in the best way
- Being competent, confident and energetic in their approach to their subject
- Understanding the importance of pace, momentum and the right balance of activities
- Breaking up the theory and practical (learning and doing) to get the right mix
Given both options I’d prefer to be taught by a Craft Teacher who was also a Craft Expert in the subject I wanted to learn. At least a Craft Teacher would be able to show or tell me what I needed, in the way I needed it.
A craft expert may be extremely able, but if they didn’t have teaching skills they may not be able to teach me what to do.
The key lies in sounding out your choice of demonstrator or teacher.
Who will you use to show you what you master? A craft expert or a craft teacher?
Tags: Teach crafts by admin
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