Taking On Students

[Freyja Witchsong]

Merry meet,

I've been practicing a very involved solitary, eclectic Wiccan path for the past ten years. A couple of days ago, two close friends asked if I would sponsor them as a teacher and mentor in learning the Wiccan path of the Craft.

Does anyone have any advice for a new teacher, books, links, etc.? Also, if anyone has any info to provide me and would rather discuss it through chat, just drop me a PM and we can work that out.

So far, I've been using a lesson plan format and we've spent our first week on the foundation of Wicca. I.e. its history, The 13 Principles Of Wicca, The Law Of Power, The Charge Of The Goddess, starting a BOS, looking at the holidays, the wheel and the story of Goddess and God pertaining to the turning of wheel and strict memorization of all of that in detail. I'm thinking that next, we will begin looking at altar items and creating a novice altar, ways of celebrating the sabbats and esbats, common terms and a light delving into traditions and their differences and similarities. I don't have plans on getting to circles, spellcraft, etc. for a while. I feel it's best to start working on the inner mind through meditation, dream journaling and light divination, especially because my students know nothing about any New Age practices or Neopagan beliefs.

What do any Witches, especially those who have taught the practice to others think about this? Am I going along the right direction? And again, any links or books or material would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[LisaT4P]

I always start with energy manipulation and meditation / visualization. Getting the student to feel their own energy and the energy of others, as well as the different elemental energies, etc.

Then with meditation, I suggest that they do some guided ones until they get the hang of it, and I always explain that it isn't like what Hollywood shows us. :) Don't want them getting discouraged.

I usually suggest a couple of books for them to read & discuss as well.

[cydira]

Sounds to me like the exact same thing that I've done in the past when I had students. :thumbsup:

[Freyja Witchsong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[Ivy Artemisia]

Okay, first of all- this is a long post- I'm sorry.

IMO, that's a lot to cover in the first week. Unless you are meeting every night?

I teach an 11 week intro class, and the first class talks about what Wicca is, what it isn't, the difference between Wicca, Witchcraft and Magick. What magick is? How Wicca sets itself apart from eclectic Paganism (since lots of people tend to use the 2 terms interchangeably), The difference between high magick and low magick, and some important events in the history and development of Wicca as well as traditions- both Wiccan and other Pagan. My first class is about defining terms that they probably have heard before, giving a background in the history, and explaining what Wicca is. And that takes about two hours- because we kind of go in depth. Its also the most boring of the classes I teach! So, if they stick with it, I know they are really interested. Sometimes I teach the first class or two to whoever wants to come (I teach to our dedicants, usually one or two at a time).

Of course my 11 week course will be different from your situation- if you are taking on students and tailoring your lessons to their knowledge level and interests (rather than centered around a coven trad), but if you'd like a copy of my syllabus, PM me and I'll send it to you. Wow, that was the longest sentence ever. Or if you'd like to chat, you can drop me a line on AIM or Yahoo.

My tips:
~Go in depth on topics- if you run out of time, have your student research it for homework
~Be hands on. If you are explaining the use of each magickal tool- let your student hold it, feel it, use it. After we talk about tools, I teach about consecrating new tools, and give each student something small to all consecrate together, using the tools. This is during the second class.
~Handouts are good. If you use handouts, make sure that you leave space for your students to add their own notes or feelings
~Always pause for questions, if there aren't any- ask a discussion question, or share an experience

Something cool and new that I did on this last circuit of classes is a guided meditation after each of the first 5 or 6 classes. Each starts with a grounding and centering, and then the rest of the meditation relates in some way to the lesson, and they build upon one another. Its a great way to end the class and I've found that if you have class at my home, it tended to not have a concrete end- lots of visiting. I received a lot of great feedback. It was some work, since I had to get candles going, and get my iPod set up with meditationy music, and actually write the meditations, but it was completely worth it in the end.

Teaching is hard work, but completely worth it to make a difference in your students' lives! :)

[CelticMoon11]

The Witches Handbook by Gavin & Yvonne frost, has good exercises in it and some different ideas of things that can be done.

Give them some practical things to do to get them started, meditate, find a stone they like in a gem store & learn what they can about it etc. Keep it interesting ;)

[Taliesyn]

i suggest working with one at a time. and don't worry so much about structure, just have a topic and work from there. i think the most important thing to do is bring your new student into balance as quickly as you can, then start imparting deeper learning.

or you could just save yourself the trouble and drive red hot pokers into your eyes. it will be more fun than teaching.

[Astara Seague]

I do a series of classes every year, many are intrested in becoming a member of my coven and to be one I require they take the classes and pass the tests..yes I said tests I test them on what I teach
I start with simple like Meditaion and Visualization, moving up to healing with herbs and EOs I teach them about the basics of many differnt subjects then go into basic spellwork and after that I encourage them to find their "place" and go deeper on their own or with our group their choice

[Dumunzi]

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer but pretty much all we practice can be learned on your own. :/

[Terra Mater]

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer but pretty much all we practice can be learned on your own. :/

Not for everyone. Some people need someone to show them, someone to bounce ideas off them, and someone to provide them with opportunities to actually see a different view rather than just reading about it.

In fact, there is much beyond the basics of color meanings and candle magic that is 50 times harder to learn by yourself.

Not to mention that learning how to work with a group requires a group to work with.


Teaching is hard work, but completely worth it to make a difference in your students' lives! :)

For some people maybe. I got out of teaching because I got tired of watching students put in years of effort for weeks of advancement. I got sick of excuses for not doing study assignments. So I stick to teaching the family. Outside students were mostly more trouble than they were worthand the family doesn't expect to cover a new love spell every time they find a new love interest.

[Taliesyn]

in all seriousness, I loved to teach. still do. it's the responsibility i don't like. I don't like how students fail to think for themselves, and actually do the work nessecary to progress. I think they get hung up on information and ego, and don't work towards gathering their energies so that they may see the deeper meanings i am trying to show them. it makes me very sad.

I think that "teaching" is really about empowerment, and most folks are truly scared of thier own power. they set themselves up for all kinds of drama to avoid their path.

it's like you have to drag them by their frickin hair. I'm getting too old for it.

[LisaT4P]

I think they get hung up on information and ego, and don't work towards gathering their energies so that they may see the deeper meanings i am trying to show them. it makes me very sad. Agreed.

It took me a while, myself, to realize that the path isn't about gathering information, but having experiences.

And many teachers (raising hand as guilty) get hung up on imparting information as opposed to fostering experiences. The path is about understanding not knowing.

No matter how many books you read that say, "commune with nature" you won't understand it until you go outside and DO IT.

You helped me see that. Thank you. :fpraise:

[Taliesyn]

Lisa, you are going to make me cry.

[Scott Hill]

I usually work with people on consultations for specific topics when I'm teaching - as opposed to just doing readings. I get a number of solitary practitioners who just want help in a certain area (like divination, astral travel, dream interpretation... lots of others).

I began my own tradition as a "solitary" (the quotes because I had many teachers from the otherworld and a few from this one). I now offer degrees in that tradition. I can't take on any new students right now (not with what I've already got and the novels I'm writing), but I'm engaged in work with students along this path.

I think the teacher needs to seek confirmation from deity and/or guides. Make sure that at least some otherworld beings approve of your teaching others. They may also be able to offer good advice about the teaching process - or about what you need to do to become ready to teach. Don't expect it to be easy. Anyone can spout platitudes from books and websites, but it takes a special teacher to adapt to the ever-changing learning processes and experiences of clever students.

As a teacher, I recommend looking at all sorts of teaching rubrics out there. For magic, yes, but also for any number of subjects. What are your goals? Are they compatible with student goals? What expectations are they bringing to the process? Where is your student starting from? Do they need to catch up on basics or are they already doing advanced work? Do you believe in a teacher-student dynamic or a co-learner dynamic? Do you have the time and energy to give over to the full process of their education? These are just some basic questions to ask.

I like to work with the gifted. The path I teach is best suited for persons who are not only gifted in magic, but gifted academically. Most people run away screaming when they see the qualifications for a Book of Spirals first degree, but those who can embrace the challenge are some of the most amazing practitioners I've ever met (I won't say "of the craft" because BoSp is technically a neo-pagan, not a Wiccan, degree). They don't care about the social crap. Actually, the fact that a BoSp first degree tends to take between five and seven years to complete usually runs off the people who just want to get any first degree (second, third... whatever) just so they can say, "See how cool I am!" For me, one of the greatest joys was when a student came to me and said, "I'm the one ultimately in charge of this experience, aren't I?" She had realized that no teacher could give her what she knew was within herself. I was honored to be a guide for her, to be engaged in a process of co-learning, and to have helped lead her to the threshhold of her own mind rather than imposing my ideas upon her. And that's why one of the requirements for a BoSp first degree is confirmation from the otherworld that the student is ready.

I begin with meditation and simple energy work, as far as practice is concerned. But I don't move on with practice until the student has been exposed to some basics of theory - especially involving magical ethics. The student must learn some basic ethical principles as they're learning beginning definitions. They must realize that it's their responsibility to build a personal system of ethics - not just devour someone else's. That ethical system will grow with them as they study.

I allow for a path that is highly individualized. No two people will ever have the same experience with my program. There is much personal choice. For instance, students are asked to pick up to three special projects that they'll work on for 30-60 mins. each week in addition to normal degree work. This can be almost anything the student wants to do involving spirituality, so long as we can agree on it (and, thus far, we've never disagreed about what constitutes a valid enrichment project).

I know many of these remarks are all over the board, but I wanted to share a few things while not having the time to launch into a full explanation of how I teach a first degree. I hope it has been helpful.

[Allytria]

I start by advising students that to master magic, one must master the Self. It is a lifelong process that should never end. I start them off with a lesson on General Paganism, and I touch a little bit onto wicca. They become aware that I am *not* Wiccan pretty quick. I also make them do much of the homework on Pantheons, starting with the Cultures that interest them the most. I try to teach with a nod to Real Science (a religion all it's own) and Anthropology. I also force them to think on why they want to follow a magical path to begin with. They are given 8 weeks to give me a satisfactory answer, otherwise I drop them like a bad habit. (IE Power for the sake of lording it over people is out. Power to fuel self improvement and self mastery, AND to learn there are Things under the Maya, totally fine.)