DEAR IMADANSEUR:

thankx for letting me know about that "special button"...im a new member & was not aware of that

TUMBLEB:
u seem to chat alot...how do i post a vent, not having to repky to someone else's?

just wanted to address those of u talking about your husband...hahahahhope u will be envious...hahahahah

1. im so glad i found this website. i worry him to death w/venting and whining.
2. he has picked up (after 15 yrs w/me) on terminology, movement, etc.
3. he is so supportive...chooses my music, does the editing, is my production manager at recital (drops, pyro, etc.) DOES ALL THE LOAD IN, HARD WORK) so i can deal with the kids, parents.
4. he is very crative...designed my studio, does costumes, makeup at compts, peps up select dancers that can relate to him
5. he wants me to succeed above all other studios in town, praises me in front of parents
6. fits cfhildren to shoes, pins costumes for alterations.
ON ON ON ON

i dont know how a man puts up with all this...sometimes i wonder cause he can be a *****such a temper...but i feel very lucky....

JUST WISH I HAD MORE THAN 40 STUDENTS now TO COMPENSATE for both our efforts.....

dear ANYBODY!!!
i really need help with my studio!!!past 5 yrears going down hill...have great creditials, personally teach, run the business, etc...dont know whats going on...trying to locate in same city, but funds not available..i feel its marketing and running the business i need help on...someone please hurry and respond with advice.....

Did you purchase your studio from someone? Have you been losing a lot of students? What type of dance? What ages do you teach?

If my numbers are down, I try to advertise for more preschool classes. My degree is in Child Development, so I feel like I can identify with and teach that age group the best. As a result, 75% of my students are in the 3-7 age group. What area do you feel you can teach the best? Figure out your strengths as a teacher and then market those areas.

HI! Yes, im respongind to c thread from almost 1 year ago, but im new...just laughing and getting caught up. what do you do when someone in the same town is "stealing" your ideas - choreography, policies, class attire, etc....i dont want to seem like im "slamming" the other studio, but its clear she is cfopying me, and has triple the students i have...whats up?

It's hard to say how that's happening to you. Sometimes, with current events, movies, music, teachers can get the same ideas. Or, someone in your classes is talking to someone (if you go the paranoid route - lol!)

"But she's 15! She had no dance skills (doesn't even know her right from her left is more like it) but why can't she dance with the kids her age who just happen to have several years experience and are medal winners in competitions???? ARRRRg Well if she can't be with them then she won't dance! (stomp)"

My response is sorry to hear that.

"You know her two other sisters dance for you."

Dear local high school's dance teams:

Will you please, please, please stopping holding "little girls" dance workshops? You are undermining those of us who are trying to encourage both girls AND boys to dance, and trying to disabuse people of the notion that dance is strictly a "girl" thing.

AAAARRRRGGGHH!!
Would it be that difficult to have a "KID'S" dance workshop?

the high school dance team that I coach calls their camp a "Kids Camp". Both boys and girls can attend.

Yay! Danzfanatic! Nice to know this isn't happening everywhere. Drives me bonkers.

If I am teaching tap I expect to have an assistant that knows the disclpline of tap. How is she going to assist me if she has never taken the dance form before?

Where the hell do you find these people?! Did you grab someone off the street ad say "want to teach tap?"

Would you make someone a lifeguard when you know they can't swim?!! AARRGGGHH!

(A short letter I wish i could write to my SO)

As I sit and ponder wonder
Where oh where are those kids yonder.

My pen is poised and the clock ticks by
Yet to the door I glance and can only sigh.

Arrrr g I hate this time of year!

Dear prospective students' parents,

I apologize most profusely for neglecting to have a foreign accent. If it would make you feel more important, I will gladly pull out my college voice work books and start working on it right away. I don't have a real one, but I could fake it.

Sincerely, Julie

*This post brought to you with tongue planted firmly in cheek*

I agree with your position. You are so not responsible for all those things. I so agree

thanks for responding...no, i created he studio from the "ground up". not loosing enrolled students, just not getting any new! i teach all disciplines, except ballroom, latin, etc. its the traditional dance school, with a competitive team as well. Ive done the ads, prices "middle lined" with others in my area, not bragging - but i have 2 degrees, etc. studio is nice, clean, students treated very well, i constantly speak with parents...i just dont know what else there is to do! thats why i feel like someone is "bad mouthing" me, or...i just dont understand whats wrong. HHHELPPP

Yesterday, the same mom who, last year, gave me costume headaches and then showed up with her son in a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COSTUME at the recital, came up to me and said - "Do you have an eye infection? Your eyes are all red and it really hurts me to look at you". (I had been petting my cats and gotten fur in my eyes and they were still irritated).

AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH! She is sooooo rude!

Definitely start putting your foot down, because they're treating you (parents and students, from the sound of it) like a complete DOORMAT! You sound like such a great and supportive teacher, but it's like that old saying "give em an inch and they'll take a mile..." take care and I hope things get better!

Ok I just found out the one of my competitors just called one of my students and told her that she couldn't go to my school because her sister was at the OTHER school. So What! How dare she tell a parent that she can't attend any school she wants! I would never do that! What right does she have! NONE. There are enough dancers for everyone. This little 3 year old wanted to dance with a friend. Isn't that what's its all about! That's what I believe . Oh well, I guess the other owner is just scared! So be it!

Please spoiled brat do not come up to me after class and tell me it was too easy when you can't execute a proper jazz walk or do a clean double pirouette. I'm sorry I'm not your previous teacher who's class was "harder" because she only taught you tricks and short changed you on technique. No, I'm not teaching Fouettes in Jazz II!! Go take more Ballet and the Turns and Leaps Class. Who do you think you are? I think you need glasses and a good dose of reality chica. Good riddance!!

Thanks, I feel better! Maybe I can get some sleep now.

Tm2

I especially agree with the 5678 one. I mean they just stare at you while they are in line or worse, they are talking and miss thier turn. And advise to the back row dancers, when I judge, I am looking for those people who hide in the back. You can't hide, we know why you're there. And seriously, when we say NO it's not up for discussion. That's the end of it. Geese!

PARENTS: I am glad you decided to have your children so close together in age but it is NOT cute when little Susie is trying to get ready for my dance class and your three other holy terrors of children are running around my room!

Also need I remind you that when I am trying to get a message to you, by informing the entire class i don't need to strain my voice by yelling over the screeching of your other child....please by all means shut the lil bugger up for two seconds!

Lastly, if Susie's brother (who is eight) plays with my door handle while I am teaching class once more and opening the door as well I am going to take his hand!
I am teaching dance class. that makes me a dance teacher. Therefore I most certasinly am NOT;
-a babysitter
-a disciplinarian for your growing family
-a janitor for the garbage you like to leave behind

Sorry had a rough night!

My first vent!! Here we go!

When I'm speaking you (the student) should not be! Don't parents teach their kids MANNERS anymore?!

Teens - when I tell you to put your hair up for ballet, I dont' care if you have a hot date afterwards or if you're going to the mall. For an hour, you are doing ballet, not getting ready.

If I have one more kid tell me "I can't do that" with out trying, I am going to start mnaking the parents give me a dollar each time I hear it...forget the penny...I need gas money.

Parents - If I'm about to go teach your daughters class, don't pull me aside BEFORE class and say to me "my daughter doesn't want that girl near her because she talks to her." Let me tell you something MOM..your daughter isn't a princess. This is class. EVERYONE is to get along with eachother. And by the way..I wonder where she gets her attitude from!

Speaking of attitude, I'm tired of teenagers giving me attitude, picking their finger nails, and ignoring me when I say "pointe your toes"

And speaking of teenagers - what's with ALL the make up?!?! You're in ballet class where, if you're actually trying, you're going to get all gross and sweaty and hopefully you shower when you get home. Is it really necessary to reapply lipgloss in class?

Cell phones..keep them in your purses, not on the window sill. So disrespectful!!

And I am sooo tired of Parents thinking their kid is God's gift to the world.

And one more thing - if I have one more kid come into my class with a hand full of cookies, candy, or any other kind of junk food I think I may lose it. Whatever happened to apples and grapes and GOOD food to snack on!! No wonder so many little kids are over weight!!

AND ANOTHER THING:

Parents...

We give out all those PAPERS for a reason. And guess what, they aren't for you to just throw out, use as scrap paper, or throw in your junk pile.

1) "I didn't know the studio was closed." Wanna know why you didn't know we were closed one day?? YOU DIDN'T READ THE BULLETIN.
2) "Why wasn't I told it was observation week?" Oh, guess what, you were...IN THE BULLETIN.
3) "I didn't know costume money was expected by this date." You would have, ma'am...IF YOU READ THE BULLETIN.
4) "No body told me about bring a friend week and my daughter is upset about that." Oh, guess what mom, wrong again, YOU GOT A BULLETIN.
5) "I didn't get any bill for this month, I didn't know I owed anything." #1, of course you knew you owed money, you get billed monthly..and by the way...IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BULLETIN.

I don't even give my STUDENTS the bulletins because I know they never get to the parents...I give them out to the PARENTS to make sure they get them...and STILL they don't read them. I give up!

Offers to give the "what-for" to all those inconsiderate parents after handing Jeannie a cup of tea and reassurance that we all go through this and it always drives us nuts too, and welcometo the looney bin (smiles). Isn't it fun!

Ok... here's mine..

Parents: Blue boxes... cans and plastic only please. Do not throw your coffee cups in because you're too lazy to walk that extra 4 inches to the garbage pail which, by the way is clearly sitting right beside the blue box. Clue to help distinguish between the two: one is blue...!

Parents: Must you come in and stand in the hallway in front of all the classrooms and discuss your latest gripe with other moms who attend your child's public school. Save it for their hallways please.

Teens who don't shut up in class: Quiet does mean quiet. Don't look at me like I stole your best friend if after 4 warnings you are asked to leave because you won't shut up. Don't send your mother to my senior teacher to complain about my sending you out of classes. My senior teacher has her own worries and doesn't need mine dumped on her simply because you think she should "speak to me" about my decision. Perhaps you both should attend listening to authority classes together.

Encourageable: Don't parents teach their kids the differences between right and wrong. It's right to do as you're asked. It's wrong to stand and say you don't want to. It's right for me to ask then why are you here if you don't want to dance, and it's wrong for you to run home to mommy and say I told you that you shouldn't be in my class when I hadn't, forgetting the part about your mouthing off in class. OI!!!

Confused Preteen: Bring a Friend to dance is for that, no they can't come to all classes just the one on their invitation. And why would you think it would mean for the entire season? Who in their right mind would offer up a complete season to someone for free as long as they were in your class???? Why didn't you know that? I don't know... can't you read? It's in the informational package, on our website, in the handout, on the bulletin boards, on the invitations, in our policies manual, but you're right... there was no way you would know this... because you must obviously be blind as well as you can't don't or won't read.

12 to 14 year olds: Bring a Friend to Dance Classes actually means that you and your friend are expected to dance in class, not stand in the corner and discuss boys. What do you mean but your friend doesn't want to dance? Then why did you bring her? Ohhhhh to discuss boys...(rolls eyes)

Student in Level One Jazz Class: I can't help it that the friend you brought from another school who is suppose to be at the same level as you really isn't. I can't help it that her teacher teaches it differently. I can't help it that your friend doesn't know what at jazz box step is or a jazz chasse but does know what a turning stag is and a barrel turn is. No she can't demonstrate this in your class. Why can't you learn these things? Can you do a jazz chasse? No? Well then... there's your answer, it's not all about tricks.

Teen who should not have bought those painted on jeans and now can't get out of them: Can you dance in your jeans? Gee let me think....

Teen who is not fashioned sensed: You can't take your 4 inch hooped earings out because you can't risk losing them? Why wear them to class in the first place? Taking them out at home might be an option???

Teen who is into self far too much: You don't have a bra on because you came right from swimming. So I guess I should be honored to stare at that all class? So can you wear your bathing suit that happens to be bright pink and yellow in ballet class? Go home.

Teen who is looking for any excuse: You're chomping on gum in ballet class because you are trying to lose weight? So all the fat is in your jaw? Spit it out.

Teen who wants to stop for a drink of water every 2 mins and complains about going the bathroom all the time the other 58 minutes: Why exactly did you sign up for dance again? To "P" or to dance? Solution? Drink before and after class. I know I will be having a drink after class after all this

OI!!!

Twinkle Toes - LOL to all of your comments. I'm so glad I joined this board recently because after teaching for 6 years, I definitely needed somewhere to vent!!!! Thank you for the tea and the warm welcome to insanity haha.

Also - the gum comment..classic!!!