Read A Teaching Handbook for Wiccans and Pagans for Free Online Page A

Craft that is bigger than your desire for personal glory.… It should be about what is best for the tradition and what is best for my students. And if you’re thinking about that, then I don’t think you can go too far wrong.
    Patience
    Another often mentioned quality of a good Pagan teacher was patience. You can’t expect everyone to understand and absorb the information you give them immediately or on the first try. You also need the patience to deal with people’s questions, issues, and imperfections—and to work on mastering your own.
    Ability to Communicate
    Communication is an essential skill for any teacher. Teachers need to be able to convey information in multiple ways, clearly and concisely, and preferably without putting anyone to sleep. Christopher Penczak said, “Generally I think good teachers are prepared and have good communication skills and a sense of humor.” Oberon Zell-Ravenheart commented:
    They have to be able to explain things creatively in such a manner that their students can not only understand but really get it. And they need to have the charisma to inspire their students to want to learn more from them and to feel fortunate and blessed to have such a great teacher.
    Ellen Evert Hopman talked to me about keeping students engaged:
    Well, in order to be a really outstanding Druid teacher—which I don’t think I am yet—you have to have a fantastic sense of humor. I think you have to be a showman.
    Integrity and Honesty
    Many of my interviewees spoke about good teachers having integrity and honesty. After all, if we as teachers are passing along sacred knowledge, we need to act accordingly.
    Christopher Penczak commented:
    I think one has to walk the talk. You must be practicing what you teach. Not doing so is the downfall of most teachers. You must integrate the teaching into your own life as you teach others.
    People mentioned honesty in various contexts, not just in telling the truth. Anne Marie Forrester talked about being up-front with students about their progress:
    I think honesty is a big part of it. You have to be willing to tell people when they’re doing good and when they’re not doing good, and not shy away from confronting them about that.
    Similarly, Brian Rowe talked about being honest with students about expectations: “Don’t be afraid to set high expectations, but be clear in trying to put those forward to students.” And Melanie Henry mentioned being honest enough to admit when you don’t have an answer:
    You’ve got to know what you don’t know, and know when to say, “I can’t help you with this”—and, when you yourself need some help, it’s really good if you can accept help. You’re going to need it!
    Take some time to reflect on your goals, what you want to get out of teaching, and your strengths and possible weaknesses in terms of teaching. Talk to friends and other teachers, and meditate or ask your guides or deities for insight. Once you feel you have a handle on the benefits and challenges you might encounter and are aware of your strengths and areas for growth, your teaching journey has begun.
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    I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.

    Albert Einstein

Chapter 2
    Space, Time, Energy,
Money, and Legalities
    If you have been thinking about teaching for a while, chances are you have envisioned yourself doing it in a certain way. Perhaps you saw yourself at the head of a class, or leading an open circle, or in a coffee shop working with a small group. But before you make a decision about how you would like to begin teaching, there are several factors you should consider. And some of those factors might be large enough that you’ll need to consider a different option from the one that you have envisioned.
    The format in which you choose to teach will probably be influenced heavily by things like the space you can