Dance Teachers Taking Classes

I am a perpetual student. I love to take classes on new styles and subjects as well as the styles I have been doing for more than a decade.  It keeps me up to date on new techniques, moves, teaching styles, music, etc.  I get to stay in touch with other teachers and students.  My humble nature never feels like I know every single thing out there.  The reason I started hosting events in town was so I can bring out teachers in styles that I enjoy for myself and my students. 

However, I have been criticized for posting about the classes and workshops I have taken over the years.  Other dancers and teachers have told me that a "true" "professional" would never tell anyone that she/he is taking a workshop or class.  Ever.  It supposedly made me look less than "perfect," less than "proficient" and less than a "good teacher."  I used to post inspirational quotes from the instructors I have taken on my whiteboard in my classes.  Some of my own students would roll their eyes at me for this, others would snicker, one even laughed out loud at me, and one asked me to "just stop it."  The reaction was the same when I would credit another teacher with a technique that I learned, even if it was just during warm up.  I know I have lost more than one student over the years due to this and have had several "teachers" throw negative words my way, usually on my Facebook page, twice in person, several times behind my back.

Throughout all these obstacles and blows to my faith in learning, I pushed through and kept going.  I will never stop taking classes.  I will never stop learning.  I will never stop sharing the inspiration and techniques I have learned other teachers.  And above all else I will never stop crediting the teachers I have learned from. Ever.

Lately though I have stopped posting about classes I would like to take, even though my heart yearns for new styles of dance and new directions to take it.  And even though I have been in search of new teachers I have held back my public requests for information.  I have been thinking about this and it has really irritated me.  Why should I be changing due to others dislike of my thirst for new knowledge?  And why should I not share the inspiration and information I have learned with others?  Should I only reserve this information for a small selection of friends that are dancers?  Or even friends that are not?  Why is this frowned up so much?  Is it only in the bellydance world that it is unwise for a teacher to have a continuous journey of learning?  Is it only the bellydance community that wants their teachers to act like they know everything all the time and not give credit where credit is due?  Or are these criticisms I have received based on someone's personal or professional envy over not taking more classes and workshops on their own?  Do they feel that I should keep my learning to myself because they feel jealous? Or do they think I am grandstanding? 

My goals are to continue to learn and grow in dance and I do not need the applause for it.  However I do not enjoy the criticism.  But as I move forward in this next phase of my life I will try to take it with an understanding that the motive of the ones giving the critique are not important, unless they would like to share their rationale with me.  It will no longer be analyzed or taken to heart.  I will not remain silent about learning from other dance teachers.  It is what keeps me motivated and excited.  And I will state to those who oppose this point of view that I am sorry.  I never mean to offend only to educate and inspire. If you need to move on, I wish you well on your own path as I hope you wish me well on mine.  Dance should be a beautiful creative expression of life, not a blemish to pick apart, in my opinion.  If you wish to share your opinion with me, I will listen.