There are all kinds of people out there today who may call themselves "teachers" or "experts" in Paganism. You will see their advertisements in New Age shops and various publications or over the Internet. Some are well known local personalities who offer regular lectures, workshops or Wicca 101 classes. You may hear of a teacher through networking with other Pagans in your area. How can you know that these people are who they say they are? Or more importantly to you perhaps, how can you know that a teacher will be the right one for you and not simply out to make a buck?
There are many Paths and many different approaches to passing on the Pagan faith. A little prior research into the various Traditions in advance is almost a necessity before making the decision to take training in a particular Tradition. Read up on the subject as much as possible. Making sure that the material is less specific and more general in nature. Reading is good, but too much can be confusing. There are teachers/instructors that will teach for free during a probationary period.
There are some things that you can do to help insure a positive learning experience before you spend a lot of time or money on training. I have provided a list below that was developed from personal experiences and the experiences of others, that may help you to know what you should be looking for and how to ask the questions that may help you decide if this is the teacher for you. Some teachers may not exhibit all of the signs listed, but most teachers will fall predominantly into one category or another.
For instance - A GOOD TEACHER/INSTRUCTOR:
1. Has a sense of humor... People do some crazy, zany things sometimes, and a sense of humor can help keep things in perspective. A good teacher will help you laugh at yourself and them as well, but will not hold you up to personal ridicule. Remember laughing WITH someone is very different from laughing AT them.
2. Has respect for all living things... One need not be a vegetarian to care about the lives and welfare of animals. Environmental concerns are also important as Paganism is a "nature or earth-based" religious faith. Abuse of any living thing is pretty much a "no-no".
3. Has a healthy self image... A teacher who realizes that he or she can learn just as much from their student as the student can learn from them is probably comfortable in what they know, yet open to new ideas. The worst teacher is one who believes they know everything, they will be the least likely to listen to you.
4. Is kind and compassionate... This doesn't mean that you will not be challenged or have to work hard, but it does mean that your honest efforts will be met with encouragement and gentle guidance. A good teacher will not look down his/her nose at your sincere attempts. Rather, they will realize that experience is necessary to gain knowledge. Even a failed attempt teaches a lesson
5. Tells the truth and is direct... This means that you will not be led astray either by one who is afraid to confront you when you are heading in a wrong direction or by one who seeks to manipulate you for unknown reasons. They call em as they see em and expect you to do the same. They do not have a separate code of conduct for themselves while expecting you to follow another.
6. Is able to teach by example... The good teacher will often tell stories of the time that they really screwed up. They can tell you about their successes and failures and do not hesitate to do so. They will neither make excuses or be overly dramatic about their experiences. They can offer examples and how they are applied, clearly in order to avoid the mistakes made.
7. Has a global point of view... Local gurus may only be interested in making a name or creating a following for themselves. A good teacher will encourage their students to reach beyond the class, to learn and then leave if that is the students choice. To embrace the rest of man/womankind.
8. Is inclusive rather than exclusive in attitude... Anyone who promotes an Us vs. Them attitude is dangerously close to becoming a cult leader. There are real forces out there to contend with, but a teacher who finds an enemy around every corner should be avoided.
9. Allows for mistakes and admits that he/she is not perfect... We are all in this together - is a good statement to hear from a teacher that you are considering working with. The good ones will often join, not lead. Giving the student the time and ability to learn from doing.
10. Is flexible, yet honors commitments... Too rigid a set of rules and regulations stifles the learning experience. Too random a training program may also interfere in the discipline required for growth. A balance between the two is best.
11. Encourages you to do your own research and ask questions... A good teacher wants you to discover and explore new ideas. A good book list should be included in any training program. You should be able to disagree with a teacher without being censored or reprimanded. Remember though that a well thought out idea by the student should be thought provoking and not just provoking.
12. Gives credit where credit is due... A teacher who is using references or techniques from other sources should plainly state this fact. The use "word for word" of someone else's work and then claim it for their own is theft, plain and simple. A rewrite of the same theory in their own words is exceptable, just as the student will do when they leave class.
13. Listens more than talks... A good teacher is genuinely interested in your thoughts, feelings and opinions. Feedback is one way that a teacher can tell how you are absorbing and integrating the materials and lessons. The teacher that does all the talking is more interested in themselves than their student(s)
14. Wants you to mature and move on... A good teacher wants his or her students to surpass them. That is the greatest compliment that a teacher can receive. Only an egomaniac would hold back a student so that they themselves appear better. Kinda like a parent who resents their child's achievements.
ON THE OTHER HAND:... You Should AVOID a teacher who:
1. Possesses a superior attitude... If a teacher states or even simply implies that they are the sole holder of some sort of special or secret knowledge disclosed only to a chosen few, you really should turn around and leave - NOW! This person is more interested in themselves then in teaching you and could pose a real threat in a emotional way.
2. Excludes members of any race or culture... Prejudice of any kind has no place in spiritual Pagan covens or teaching circles.
3. Is attacking or violent... Time to beat a hasty retreat with this one as well. Violence is never tolerated in Pagan circles.
4. Is either overly sensitive or too insensitive... Someone who either sees attacks where there are none or ignores actual tangible problems may have a slight reality problem. Better to leave them to their own devises and seek elsewhere.
5. Is ingratiating... Someone who is overly friendly and shares intimate details of their personal life with you almost immediately may be looking to win you over. By sharing all with you, they encourage you to do the same in return. This type of intimacy can leave you vulnerable to manipulation and abuse. Move forward with caution and get to know someone first before sharing secrets with them, even a prospective teacher.
6. Is controlling... No teacher should expect you to abandon your family and friends. Isolation from friends and family is a cult activity. You should not be expected to run errands or perform tasks. If you feel like you are being taken advantage of, you probably are.
7. Is continually canceling classes... This is a classic indication that they simple have your money and no longer care about fulfilling the deal. A good way of avoiding this is to get it in writing, otherwise you will have a real problem getting your money back to apply it to a class where the teach does care about more than the money.
8. Belittles you or uses you as an example... You deserve to be treated with respect even if you are a novice. You should not be bullied into doing something that makes you uncomfortable or that you do not understand. On the other hand, being held up to others as the teacher's pet is also not a very good idea as the teacher may be setting you up for something that you won't want to become involved in. You will need to look for equal treatment of everyone.
9. Has few or no "elders" in their group... Where are the individuals who were taught before me, is a good question to ask. Perhaps they learned and move on, or perhaps they just ran screaming from this teacher!! It pays to check. Ask the teacher for a list of names, of perhaps 3 or 4 different individuals who they have taught.
10. Wants a lot of money up front... You should be able to get a class schedule or other outline of what the training will consist of BEFORE you sign up. Look it over carefully and ask questions. If the information seems to be no more than what you can get free from books or by talking with other Pagans on-line or elsewhere, it may be a good idea to simply go where the cost is nothing. Degrees and titles are a good thing but unnecessary in a prospective teacher.
11. Has assistants, or senior students who you are expected to obey... Some groups do have a system of elders who deserve respect. However, they are not the one you are paying. You are under no obligation to accept anyone's direction simply based on their status within a group.
12. Is overly idealistic and impractical... If this teacher has marvelous plans for the world, and especially if they tell you that you will be a part of this grand scheme, but they cannot balance their checkbook, take care of their children or hold onto a job, you want to leave now. You may end up supporting this person financially and emotionally. Paganism is a faith of personal responsibility and a teacher should be able to manifest this in their own lives.
13. Exhibits any of these characteristics... lying, sexual misconduct, theft, physical violence or abuse, drugs and alcohol abuse, child pornography.
"Thus the wise man residing in the Tao
sets an example for all beings.
Because he does not display himself,
people can see his light.
Because he has nothing to prove,
people can trust his words.
Because he doesn't know who he is,*
people recognize themselves in him.
Because he has no goal in mind, **
everything he does succeeds."
- Tao te Ching
*(meaning he does not set him/herself above anyone.) ** (secret personal agenda)
On a final note: Some "famous" teachers of Paganism as well as such other faiths as: Christianity, Judaism and Islam, utilize an incredible "Natural Charisma" to get your money or to pray on your spiritual innocence for their own self-serving needs. Don't let their outward personality persuade you down a very expensive road! Seriously consider the fact that you could very well be talking "Cult Leader" behavior. Please realize that their fame buys them no special privileges and that they must measure up to the ethical standards of Paganism, everyday in every way. For an outstanding measure of whether your potential teacher is running a cult, check out The Advanced Bonewits' Cult Danger Evaluation Frame by Isaac Bonewits.
My Links
Legalities of Teaching a Minor
My Permission Slip
Pagan Parents & the Legal System
Teachers & Pagan Ethics
Back We Go
© 1997 silverphoenix@cybergal.com