I am now going to vent about the owner.

I HATE the fact that she put out advertisements stating 1 class is $38/month. This is NOT true and very misleading IMO. It is only $38 a month if you pay for the whole YEAR upfront. If you pay by month it is $45 (you get a discount by paying everything at once).

I also HATE how she lets the kids eat junk food in the studio....not just *let* them, she actually promotes it. I saw a note she had passed out to one class (most of them are there that day for about 3 hours) saying that during their break they should eat dinner, and she suggested PIZZA. grrrrr......She has it worked out so another class does this. They do one class, eat pizza and then another class.

First, this sucks b/c the kids eat, and then for their next class they complain that their tummy hurts. Of course it does! They just ate!!! But the owner only teaches the first of the classes, and the next teacher who gets these kids is the one who has to deal with their whining (I know b/c I was that teacher one year!).

Second, it is going to teach kids to associate dance with pizza. They are supposed to be engaging in a healthy activity, but it all goes down the tubes by eating pizza EVERY week (yes, they eat it every week! and if its not pizza, it's mcdonald's!) And sorry to say, some of our dancers are quite overweight as it is. I just hate hate hate that she promotes eating junk food during dance class. GRRR pet peeve. I mean, I eat junk sometimes, we all do. BUT I just don't think that is the way to teach good eating habits. I know when I was growing up I sure as heck didn't eat pizza every week!

Ok, I'm new to this and I really need to vent. Here we go!

Parents-All payments are due the first of the month. Not the middle of the month and yes, a late fee will be added. I have bills too!

When you bring your other children with you, please watch them. We are not your personal babysitter or your maid. Clean up after yourself and your children!

When you go on vacation I will not be giving you a discount for the classes that you will not be attending. It must be nice to go on vacation, I can't afford to!

Costumes-They are not free! You will not get your costume until it's paid for in full. And I can't help how much they cost! If it's too much for you don't put your kid in dance lessons or don't do the show!

I know you think that your child is the "Best" and is going to become a Prima-Ballerina or dance in Missy Elliots videos, but so does every other parent. I will not be treating and certain student "special".

I feel like parents think that I have the easiest job in the world and that I make all kinds of money doing it. Do you see me driving a Lexis? I should show you how much I pay in rent! Do you like it when your child misbehaves. And if you think that another studio is going to give you "special" treatment, then your living in a fantasy world!
I let them get away with more then they should!

Ahh! I feel a little better.
Thanks!

I think that i am going to post a sign at my studio saying "go to dance.net and read the teacher rant page, YOU NEED TO KNOW THESE THINGS!!!"

I am so happy that there are some kindred souls out there.

Here's a new rant though, unfortunately guided at other teachers at other studios, I would love honest imput. I can take it.

How is okay to put 5-7 year olds in crop tops, shaking what their mama gave them?

How is okay to give a student 3 or 4 different solos to different songs but have the same "tricks" in them with virtually the same choreography?

Since when are "lobster claws" incorporated into technique?

Why does more sequins and rhinestones get higher awards?

How is Modern defined when it is performed to a garage punk band?

Tap dancing should actually have some tap steps in it. If you are only turning and jumping, enter it in the jazz division.

Last but not least, where has the artistic integrity gone!!?? We attend 3 competitions a year, and maybe 2 or 3 dances actually stand out to me as good choreography. Good choreography is not about fuetes and 20 turns and legs to heaven, it is the dancing in between those steps. I feel that the competition circuit is going downhill, and it is our job as dance teachers to instill some sort of appreciation of art into our students. They don't learn about passion and love and art if they are too focused on the trophies. I challenge every one of us to bring at least one dance to competitions this year that is good choreographically with no consideration of award appeal!!Screw the trophies, challenge the audience with something intellectual!

That is my rant, and i would love to hear some feedback. I hope that i did not step on any toes out there, I am just asking people to step back and ask themselves why they started choreographing and attending competitions in the first place.

hahaha this is amazing! i have a few to add...
* when the class if from ages 5-6, that means ages 5-6! yes, even if you child is going to be five... they're still too young! of couse they're going to be five!!!!! if we were willing to make exceptions we wouldn't have made a specific age group!!!!
* if you child has a leaning disability or any other special needs PLEASE TELL ME! i cannot read minds!
* if the blinds are closed then i don't want you to find a tiny hole and crouch till you can peek through it. i am not beating you children! they just work concentrate better without you watching!
* it is not my foult that your kid is the only boy in the class!
* no, i am not a professional ballerina... if i was i would not be teaching your 3 year old how to point her toes!
* open house if for you to WATCH not take my job!
* do not bring you kids to an adult dance class... people take them to GET AWAY!
that feels better!
oh and one more this... yesterday i was trying to teach a preschool dance class and there was a kid with an umbrella! what?! and when i told him he couldn't dance with it he cried... so i asked him mom to take it and she said he wouldn't let her! HE'S THREE! WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE WOULDN"T LET YOU!? it's dangerous! just take it!

You are so right, missfitz! I am amazed how many dancers are confusing "tricks" with technique.
I too have noticed that it seems that if a dance is done barefoot- then it is considered "modern".

Thanks to all of the comments from teachers on this thread. I was beginning to think I was alone!

lol @ dancerashley & the umbrella....

We had some day last year with our little ones....like princess day or something. Well one little girl showed up in those plastic high heel play shoes. Um, no she cannot wear those. The mom looked at me like I had 3 heads. hello, she can barely walk in them! She certainly cannot do *tap* in shoes with no taps on them, and she can not do correct ballet technique in heels!!!

amen MissFitz amen!

My turn!

I am so fed up with the nasty people in Irish dance schools in this area.
I've been submitting my school's new website to tons of places, so we can get more exposure. I submitted to a listing that allows ratings of site content. When I visited awhile later, someone had totally slandered our school! They used childish and libelious words, and we didn't even deserve any of it. I can't believe how mean people can be to a new school just starting out... if this is baptism by fire, I hope we're clean afterwards!!!!!!!

I think what it all boils down to is that people think the rules apply to everyone else....not themselves.

Heres a few:
* Dont open the door when I am in the middle of a 3year old class and take pictures with the flash on, It takes everything I have to get their attention dont ruin it because you need 100 pictures of susie in the same damn leotard!

* Ballet shoes are soft and allow you to point your toes , Pretty pimk dress shoes are HARD you cant wear them!!!

* 2 1/2 years old doesnt = 3 years old DUH!!!

* Dont tell your kids that you dont like my choreography, they always tell me because they tell me EVERYTHING that you dont want me to know, Everything.

* I am an adult I treat the children with respect, but they are children and if they misbehave they will be sent to you, the parent for discipline, I am NOT a babysitter I am a dance teacher. If they are that bad maybe they need bootcamp.

* Theres this thing called sideline coaching, and oh yea, I HATE IT!!!

Thats better:)
*

I am brand new to this site, stumbling across it while trying to find information on dealing with ignorant, rude students and parents. What a wonderful place I have found!

Here it goes:

The cast list went up for our annual production of the Nutcracker. What myself and the other director thought was maybe the best cast of Nutcracker in many years has become the source of what I would like to refer to as a volcano. As the list went up and the children began to enter the studio to read it there was a slow boiling that began by one student who for some reason had the notion she was "supposed" to - basically telling us what we should cast her as - be casted as a something she was clearly not ready for by throwing a two year old temper tantrum, stomping her feet throwing her bag and crying. By the way she is a teenager. There were many factors in not casting her as in the roles she wanted but rather than coming to talk to us, the family started a mutiny. Other students and parents are now miserable and questioning the decisions made by myself and the other director who together have over 40 years of teaching and choreography experience and were both professional dancers. The volcano I am afraid has not even erupted yet!
Parents don't question what we do - especially to another parent who does not know their left foot from the right. We know what we are doing and if we mess up we recognize that fact. We are not monsters but people too!
If you don't like the parts your kids get then leave!!! If you have a problem talk to us face to face don't talk behind our backs. Teachers have a sixth sense so to speak we hear everything!!
In a nut shell we have three kids who are threating or have quite because of someone elses misery. I would like to mention that the one girl who quit got two lead roles and had no reason to leave. She left supposedly because we did not cast her friend in the roles she wanted and felt bad for her.
Where do kids and especially parents come from these days. There is a generation gap that some how was not warned about.

I feel better now and apologize for this long "vent" but it feels good to know that I can speak out and you all will understand where I am coming from. If anyone has any advice or suggestions for me on how to handle the unruly student and parent, please help!

This is my first foray (read comment)into a site like this. I've been reading everyone's comments on students and parents and the attitudes that teachers are getting from them and I'm beginning to second guess my decision to go back to the States and teach. Here in Japan students would never do the things I've been reading nor would the parents be so bold as to second guess or contradict the teacher. The level of respect is tremendous. We have our own problems but nothing like what I'm reading. Rethinking...

For students:

I know I've told you before -- and I'm telling you again. I have no desire whatsoever to see your underwear or, especially, your bra. I'm sorry, but if you are well-endowed, the strappy-backed leo is not for you. And if you are an A-cup, honey, you don't need the chunkiest sports bra ever underneath your spaghetti-strap leo! I promise, you will not fall out!

Pleas do not complain to me of hurting knees after you have ignored my corrections about turnout and pronation. I have given you all the information I have. It's up to you to put it to use.

I am not your personal Holy Spirit. I cannot be there to correct every mistake and fix every problem. You need to be watching yourself, checking yourself. if you're really serious abut improving.


For parents:

No, your eight year old may not be on the senior competition team. She may be better than all the other juniors but SHE'S STILL ONLY EIGHT! She doesn't even HAVE the muscles I need from my seniors, let alone know how to use them. And no this does not mean that she's a bad dancer and should try some other sport.

No, I have no say whatsoever about what score the judges will give us. And no, I don't know what we can improve so your little darling can get a platinum since the judges just said "Yeah, nice, cute ideas!" And no, parents, I really don't need your help choreographing your child's dance (!)


FOR JUDGES!!!

I am PAYING you to tell me where I lost points. I am PAYING you to give me an honest critique, not to pat me on the back. Please tell me on the tapes!! why my piece didn't work for you! ALL of you!! Don't sing along, don't watch in silence, don't encourage my kids if they don't deserve it! If you don't tell me anything to fix then I darn well should get a perfect score.

Students:
1. Class begins at X:O'clock. This does not mean you saunter through the door at X:03 and then decide to put on your shoes and chat with your girlfriend when you were just in the waiting room for the last 15 minutes.

2. When you miss a class, please do not raise your hand and say "Well I wasn't here" because you AGAIN, were here 15-20 minutes early and instead of asking a classmate to help you with what you missed you thought that who was going to win American Idol was much more important -- tough to be you!

3. The dress code hasn't changed -- and just because they are stretch jeans does not mean they are ok for class.

4. Why am I the only one sweating here? When we are learning a new combo etc., I expect you to attempt this with me...I am not performing for you!

5. "It's too hard" just doesn't work -- I am challenging you to become a better dancer. You are SUPPOSED to have difficulty with new things. If dance were easy, everyone would do it!

6. I'm so glad you are getting your 10-year trophy this year. Would you please mind showing me where these ten years of training are hiding? Thank you!

7. I don't really care what "Dolly Doohickie's Dance World" on the other side of town is doing -- if you are that interested, go take her class!

Boy to I feel evil saying this stuff but my I feel so much better!

"Why am I the only one sweating?"

Ding! Please do not complain to me that class is too easy. If you were working the floor, listeneng to your music, *performing* every barre routine, you would be sweating and learning from a Ballet 2 class. if class is too easy, then you aren't applying yourself.

Wow! I couldn't have said it better! I totally agree. Maybe we could have "Posters" made LOL.

1. Come to class in a bodysuit and tights......I bet you don't forget your soccer uniform when you're at soccer practice.

2. Parents, don't complain that your child isn't in a group with children their exact age. Think of it like karate class if you are unable to meet the standards set for a particular level you DON'T receive the next belt. If you are unable to meet the standards set for a particular level of dance...you DON'T move to the next level.

3. You cannot speak and listen at the same time....so quiet down.


I'll think of more i guess

Posters are a great idea!!!
I'd like to know where some of the years of training are hiding (in my students)too. It makes me feel like I am the worst dance teacher on earth.
My students are horrible, lazy, and constantly complaining...
I'm losing my mind.

How about the parents that complain about their child's grades even though their kid was hardly ever in class! And you gave up your own time to give them extra lessons to catch up (which they never turned up to). And it's all the teachers fault? No, you will not improve if you are not in class. I will mark you accordingly!

That felt good!Must do it again sometime!

I am paid to teach dance, that means that I know what I am doing. If I tell you that its normal for THREE year olds to turn around somtimes and maybe not always listen , I am telling the truth! So for the love of god dont tell me that you and the other moms should be allowed in as my assistants because you used to dance when you were like 10. Please people do you think they would listen any better if you in the room. I DONT THINK SO. And dont look at me like I have three heads when I tell you no. I teach over 20 preschool and kindergarten classes a week and I have rave reviews from parents , so dont speak down to me like I am a child because if you dont like I have no problem showing you the door!!!


I feel better:)

here we go again. Same kid, every year she does some pagaent or another.......misses many classes and wants special treatment because she's running for Jr. miss whatsit. She never wins, never places and wonders why she isn't getting "good parts". To top it off...this kid just got pointe shoes (another class, not mine). I wonder how she thinks that teacher is going to feel about her doing pointe when she's not taking the required 3 flat classes per week. I'll tell you - it won't be pretty. Her mom will probably also expect everyone to change their plans to accommodate her spoiled kid. I tell you sometimes I really dislike pageants.

K....now I feel better to!

Great points guys but my all time mind blowing class moments are when students who have been given all the preparation for turns still do them without spotting and suddenly fall out of them and say, "I'm not doing that any more because I'm too dizzy!" Well, hello! If you practice turns correctly you would'nt be falling out of them. Then the parents say, "Wow, little Jennie's turns suck. Why can't she do turns?" Let's see, little Jennie and her class don't practice, does that ring a bell? It gets worse. One student asked if she could do her turns with her eyes "closed" to so call prevent dizziness! I shooked my head in disbelief. Is this a sign of things to come because if it is I am getting real scared right about now!

^ Neal have you been spying on my class lol
My kids are the same they don t seem to get it Ive given them coloured spots to spot
but do they NO NO NO

Please just open your ears and LISTEN TO ME

XX

"I think what it all boils down to is that people think the rules apply to everyone else....not themselves." Dynamicdance, I think that says it all! Absolutely perfect!

My personal pet peeve as a teacher HAS to be the parents (who have never danced a step) who truly believe that they know what's best when it comes to their child's dance technique. So, what do they pay me for?? I think they should open their own studio and show the world how it should be done!

Very tired of parents comments about students having to comply with a dress code and students having to accept constuctive criticism as taking the "fun" out of a "recreational activity"

Dance is a performing art. Dance is a discipline Students who study anything that enriches their lives, should be accountable for the time, energy and investment that are being made on their behalf.

Any extra-curricular activity should instill a sense of pride and accomplishment for the participant. Have a dress code and guidlines to follow for good grooming bring a sense of self-esteem and and awareness that a child is participating in a "team endeavour"

Any aducator has a responsigility to ensure that the student realizes their full potential.

Constructive criticism is a part of life. Parents have a responsibility, to help their children under the difference between "being appraised" and "being condemned"

OKAY, why do I understand all this, and my parents and students DON'T.

Thanks, I feel better all ready.