Teacher or Trainer – What’s the difference?
Usually, within ballroom dancing, we draw a distinction between social dancing and competition sport. Though there is some overlap the goals are very different.
Social dancers want to learn new steps, having a fun experience. They like to be together with their mates in the lesson and having some drinks afterwards. Just a leisure activity to get out from daily business. However, a competition dancer has a different objective. Sure, the social factor is much appreciated as well, but not the main goal. As a competition dancer you seek for sportive challenges that require a significantly higher effort in order to grow as a sportsperson.
For both fractions you need a different approach. The Teacher creates programs of different levels (like Bronze, Silver, Gold) of figures to be taught within in certain period. Though there are adjustments possible and sometimes necessary, a program is usually repeating regularly, whilst the group changes. At a certain point, when finished regular classes, people step over to a continuing class where they broaden their pool of figures. Whilst some technique is given to overcome challenges, it is usually not the main content. After all, people have a nice evening, go home and repeat next time.
The Trainer instead cares about the individual development. Which includes technique, stamina, coordination skills and competition planning, but also coaching regarding social skills, (inter) personal issues, free practice or even nutrition. And of course everything around competitions like regulations, choice of clothes, registrations, preparation, style etc. He creates a plan suiting the current level and the desired goal of a single person, a couple or a whole group and adjusts it whenever needed. The Trainer accompanies couples in their way to success and tries to motivate them to push themselves to get everything out of themselves.