along with the high school team thing..i used to coach high school poms and they wouldnt let boys even try out for it..how retarded.

Teen student: You can't understand why I questioned your dedication to dance. Lets see, you showed up for ballet class to sit out with all intentions of returning later in the evening for your private lesson to dance. Then you proceeded to act like a complete brat for the entire class not paying attention to anything but your nails and your reflection all the while asking me about twenty times if you could go home now. Well I really don't care if so and so left before class started because we aren't starting the dance yet. You are not her and what she does is her business, not yours. Don't think its cool that your mom called and yelled at me for reprimanding you for your behavior and the fact that she cursed at me. That is not cool darling, thats called trashy bad parenting. Something you will most likely continue the tradition of based on your recent attitude. Your old friends aren't treating you different because you were diagnosed with JRA, you created your own drama when you and your mom flipped out because we replaced you in your competition routines for nationals. What, you thought the team would just fall apart because you couldn't dance. News flash! We are a team and its not all about you. They didn't change, you did. It is so obvious how nasty you've become with all your former BFF's. How do you think they feel? I find it all too interesting that you were suddenly well enough to perform once you found out about the understudies. Oh and then your mom came in and yelled at me for asking for a doctors note. How dare I care about what is going on with you. Clearly your mom didn't think it was a priority because she didn't know what was wrong with you and refused to get me a doctors note. Why, because you know that the rheumatoligist was against you dancing until they had a diagnosis. But the fun was more important to her then your actual health, but who am I to judge? I just got to watch you struggle all summer with a swollen knee while your mom was off gambling with her girls instead of taking you to the doctor. Sorry that she didn't really worry about it until it might mess up the family trip to the Bahamas. But she's the greatest mom in the world and I'm the evil dance teacher. I've only opened up every opportunity to you and then some. No matter what you've always had it your head that I didn't like you. I think you may have finally acheived it because I really don't enjoy teaching such a diva. I want someone in my classes that is there for the dance and not for a popularity contest. I used to be able to see past all the whining oversensitivity, but lately you have made the whole team tense and its not fair to anyone.

Oh, and you want to know why you didn't get picked for the part of the new dance that you wanted. Because you aren't right for the part. Not because I hate you. Not because your former friends hate you and have turned me against you. Not because of the JRA. Just because you weren't the right dancer for the part. Sometimes you can't have what you want and it sucks. Thats reality.

Respect your teachers and classmates and they will give it back. Don't whine to your mom if you get called out for misbehaving and you should actually acknowledge when you are wrong. The world is not out to get you, its just not all about you. There are other people in the universe and you need to be more aware of how you treat them and not just how they treat you. If you are going to give it, learn to take it.

Whew! I feel so much better now that I got all that out.

Oh the gum thing drives me CRAZY~! You can do the splits and pull off a triple pirouette but for some reason have difficulty with the concept of no gum in class.And it's not so much the dangers associated with gum chewing that annoys, but the blatant disrespect for the rules on the studio. No gum means no gum~! Oh, and while I'm at it, UNIFORM, people -- wear it , always~! If I can wear a black leo and pink tights and I given birth a few times, then kids can~! And parents , can you please help out a little with this, like make sure they are dressed correctly~! I basically have parents paying me each week to waste time and lecture their kids on how to dress for class.

Why can't we teach nice teens?
Why do teenagers have to just suck so badly with the eye rolling, leaning on the barres, whining, muttering under their breath.
Giggling whenever I turn my back and chatting after they go across the floor. SHUT UP, PUNKS!
Why can't they keep their uninformed opinions to themselves?
Why do I have to point out every rude comment that comes out of their big mouths, only to be met with more rudeness?
If I had to sit out every punk in my junior ballet class, I would have no students.
Why can't they treat people with respect, especially when respect and patience is extended to them?
Why are they so against learning anything new that might upset their precious egos?
Why do their parents force them into class when they detest it? Do us all a favor and STOP DANCING! I'm not interested in baby sitting your whiny baby, people.
Why do I question my decision to teach just because of their ridiculous attitudes?
I wish I could sass that snotty brat right back but I know I have to be the adult and try to rise above.
I wish their parents could see and hear what they try and pull in my class. The scary thing is I'm not sure they wouldn't just wind up defending their princess.
I wish we could just teach without the drama or need for a degree in psychology.
Sigh.
Thanks for the vent. It does feel much better.
p.s. reading all of your vents reminds me I'm not alone and many of you have it worse at times. This, too shall pass.

Yes, shimsham...I had to re-address the dress code violation issue this week AGAIN (with the 9-12 age group who have been here for several years and know better). After several warnings, which were blatantly disregarded, I finally sent notices to the parents Monday about this. We'll see what happens next week, but I will stick to my guns, accept no excuses, and make the offenders sit out of class. I, like you, am tired of the disrespect and of being ignored. Oh, and that goes double for jewelry and 'No food in the classroom' means just that. No more Ms Nice Guy! WHEW, that felt good!

hahaha the SHUT UP PUNKS from leapjumpturn made me laugh quite hard. I dont know how many times I've wanted to turn around and yell that.

I teach beginning hip hop and sometimes, in the middle of me teaching a combo, this girl will be hanging from the barres, doing her own thing.
I have another girl who sat down on the floor while I was going through that last part again cause no one got it, and she just sits on the floor while everyone else is practicing. I turned to her said "Oh so this time I should expect everything done perfect since you didnt need to go over it again." Funny that she forgot half of the moves and asked me to show them again.

Come to class with shoes. How freaking hard is that. Not even dance shoes, I would be happy with tennis shoes. You come to class with barefeet or socks, and then after class your upset because your feet/socks are dirty. DUH. I'm sorry I dont mop the floor after everyclass so your white socks stay clean.

When I say have attitude and go all out, I mean it. Dont dance like your a dear in headlights.

If I am going through the dance with you and we get to the end, that is not your cue to turn to your friends and start talking and giggling. There is a very good chance we are gonna do it again and I'm not gonna wait for you to finish your amazing story.

After telling you we are gonna go through the dance, and after I have already prepped 5,6,7,8, do not look at me as I am already dancing and yell at me "whoa! I dont know where we are. can we start over"

After I teach you a 8 count, dont start talking, cause I might want to teach you another 8 count before we do it with music. And I am not gonna wait for you, I'm gonna keep on teaching.


When I say water break, I dont mean go out and stand around drinking water and talking for 5 minutes. You go out, get your water, and come back. Not that hard.

What a great thread!

1. If your child has a communicatable illness (like chicken pocks, the flu or anything else), please don't bring them to class so you can pass on the "fun". Losing 3 or 4 girls through an illness your child has brought to class is NOT something I appreciate

2. There are dress codes. Read them, understand them and don't bring your child to class in their school uniform because you couldn't be bothered getting their dance bag from home.

3. We aim to provide you with a competition schedule as soon as we receive the dates from the committees. We do this for your benefit. Telling me a week before competition that your child wont be there because of a birthday party WILL make me very annoyed.

4. Don't complain to me when your child is taken out of items because you can't make the comp. It's your fault she is upset, deal with it and do the right thing in the first place. I will not force teh rest of the team to lose 10pts for having someone missing.

5. If your child has lice TELL US. There is nothing more revolting and sickening than seeing the damn things crawling around while pinning on a headpiece. To then have the gall to tell me that you knew and she refused to let you treat her will make me want to throw you both out then and there.

6. Our start and end times are provided to you at the start of the year. It is your responsibility to get your child there on time. It is also your responsibility to pick them up on time. I will wait with your child while you decide to be an hour late, but it will make me very angry and I will consider charging you when it is the "norm" for you.

7. Being late to a competition is unacceptable. You stress the coaches and the other girls in the team. I can imagine it is quite stressful for your child as well. Buy a watch or get someone who is organised to take them. Don't bitch to me when I get annoyed either - I wont put up with it.

8. If your child is rude and disrespectful, I will pull them up on it. If you don't like it - leave.

and finally

Pay on time. We give you so much notice of when fees are due. If you are having issues, come and talk to us. We are happy to organise payment plans and extensions. But, if you just leave it and then get upset at me when I chase you I will be unable to feel any sympathy for you. We do care, we are happy to work with you. But I wont and can't put up with people who don't pay fees. Fees pay for costumes, hall hire, insurance, coaches etc... If you don't pay, we can't pay and that isn't nice.

What is so hard about remembering to bring your BATON to BATON class?! Think about where you're going!

Please don't give me 101 excuses why you can't do something that you haven't even tried yet! And for those things you're not good at, yeah - that's why I asked you to practice. How do you expect to get better and advance as a dancer if you only want to practice the stuff you can already do?!

Do NOT whine about how tired/sore you are. I don't care. You are in class so you are going to work. Oh, you're arms are tired from class yesterday? I'm sorry - I've been teaching 4+ hours tonight with a pulled calf muscle and I'm not complaining. Suck it up.

This is my new favorite one:
"I dont get it. I cant do it"

Hmmmm.... lets think shall we? Mabey if you had been practicing the move with the rest of the class the last 5 times we have gone through it and not just standing there mabey, just mabey, you would of gotten it by now. Cause it looks like verybody else got it.

I am glad this thread has been a big help in venting. It shows the world is the same no matter where you are. Not that it's good that people can suck all over! LOL

Sometimes it's just good to say what you really want to say!!!

Parents: If your child has an allergy or disorder(ie: add or epilespy) please TELL ME, don't leave me to figure it out on my own, when I suddenly look at Susie's wrist and notice her Epilepsy bracelet. I am pretty sure you wouldn't want me to kill your child in the process of me teaching, so keep me aware of things. Last time I checked I didn't have ESP!!!!

Here's my vent for the day:
Parents, if i accidentally call your child by a different name, please excuse me, having mostly hispanic children in my classes can get confusing when they all have brown hair and brown eyes and are dressed alike!

Parents, please excuse if me if i seem to be acting professionally. i would like the respect back! you have a calendar for payment days and days off, please refer to it or give me a call if you have questions. don't show up for class on payment day, and say, you are "strapped" for cash today. i am strapped too, that's why i am here teaching your child for the next 45 min plus working my numerous other jobs! you don't go to McDonalds and order a big mac meal and say, ooops im short on cash, can I eat my big mac meal and pay you next week???

Parents, please bring your child in the proper uniform and no jewlery, it says so in our handouts! thank you! i wear a leo and tights, why can't susie??

Students, to the big girls, you are how old, 8 or 9? and you have been coming to my class for a few months now and you forgot what a tendu is? why do you lean on the barre during your degage exercises? are you just "kicking back" with your upper body while your legs are moving? when i ask you to stand straight and physically fix your posture, why do you slump as soon as i turn my back?

Parents, i know that i don't own the studio, i rent a room to hold our saturday dance classes, but gosh darnit! i would appreciate it if you would bring Susie on time. if class is at 11am, please don't show up at 11:05, or 11:10 and expect me to stop teaching just so I can wait for Susie to put her shoes on! Then all my other students lose their focus while watching you and Susie straddle in....

Enough for now!

oh wait, one more....

Parents, to heck with this Recreational program! im tired of making excuses for our classes lack of organization because you are late, not paying on time, etc etc, your child will learn how to properly execute a tendu whether she is here in my class or at the New York City Ballet! I will try my hardest to accomplish that task, so please give me some respect and do your part, otherwise please drop out of my classes!

I've just come back from work with almost no voice. Ever since first (and worst) class of seven 5-7yr olds, ALL MISBEHAVING NO ASSISTANT *tears hair* it's been going downhill from there.

I don't think I've ever come so close to bursting into tears at work before.

I have a student (11 yrs. old) that keeps coming to ballet class showing me what her teacher in school taught her - a freakin' demi plie! Um...that's what we do EVERY SINGLE CLASS!!! She also acts like she knows better than I do. She doesn't do the steps with the other girls in class as we're learning something slowly - she always has to go faster and as a result is doing it wrong! Yesterday, she gave me the dirtiest look because I asked her to wait to put her jacket on until we're done with class. All we had left to do was our reverance. How dare I do such a horrible thing? When I said that I would like to speak with her after class (she wouldn't listen to a single thing I said the entire time and was rolling her eyes a lot) I seriously got "ughhhh " (and she wouldn't look at me). After everything I said to her she replied "ughhhh ". I finally said that I'll call her parents if I need to and left.

UGHHHH !!! (that one's from me)

Me: "Why are you sitting down?"
Kid: "I can't do it"
Me: "Well, if you were TRYING, you'd get it"

I must be a genious to these kids. Then they get up, try it, and GET IT! They must think I am a God.

how about driving far to teach? I teach at one studio, it takes 40 minutes to get there. I don't mind that...until thone jerk in front of me has to be going the EXACT same way I am going...the entire 40 minute drive...doing 35 MPH in a 50 MPH zone!!!!!! Oh God, I wanted to cause an accident just to stop driving. All I wanted to do was get home, have dinner, come on DDN and go to bed!!! It took me an HOUR to get home tonight because of this guy. Don't you people want to get to where you are going?!?!?!?! DRIVE!!! JUST DRIVE!!!!

Oh god...I feel so much better now.

Ugh - talk about commutes! One of the studios I teach at is roughly a 30 minute drive away. Not bad. But, lately I've had to leave an hour and a half before the time I'm supposed to teach due to road construction. I spend the whole time inching forwards watching my gas go down, praying that I'll make it to class ontime. I keep telling myself that it's only temporary, but last week I saw a sign along the side of the road.

"Your dollars at work. Project completed December 2008."

No lie. I almost wept.

So I run my studio out of the local rec. center. This mom comes in today with her 6 year old, who is a COMPLETE BRAT, she was enrolled in the last session which ended 2 weeks ago. I was THRILLED when she didn't sign up again for the next 5 week session. She shows up today:

Me: "Hi Ms. lady with the crazy kid who always shows up late, have you signed your crazy, out of control, no talent to speak of, lazy, whinney, class distrupting, and can barely stand up straight daughter for the next session?"

Crazy Lady: "Oh I didn't know we would have to pay again."

Me:(This is what I wanted to say.)"Oh your right crazy lady with the lazy daughter, when it said 5 weeks in the brochure just ignore that, it really meant you pay for the 5 weeks and then you can come whenever you want forever, especially if you come late...i really love it when you come late. A one-time $53 dollar fee for dance classes for your crazy annoying, whinny daughter forever!!!! "

Of course I didn't say that I explained to her how much it was for how many weeks and then told her about our Christmas show but she must enroll until the end of december and she said great and enrolled for the show!!! AHHHH ! WHY!!!! JUST GO AWAY!!!! GO PLAY SOCCER OR SOMETHING!!!!

I need a drink, and I don't mean water, and it's only 2pm.

To a parent: If you send your kid in here with pink eye again, I'm going to punch you in the face.

To my 9 year old diva: No, you may not stand up at that part. That's Susie's "special" part. No, I do not want to hear you're "great idea" for the next part in the dance. Stop trying to be the star, stop talking through my whole class, and stop trying to be the frickin' teacher!

To my pointe kids: You have not yet mastered regular old pique's without the barre. Therefore, no, you cannot do pirouettes on pointe. Are you nuts?

To my favorite group of parents: Have you ever even seen Oliver? How 'bout Annie? The Newsies? For the love of God, please rent one of these movies and come back to class when you actually have a clue of what an orphan costume is supposed to look like! Do not bring me plaid shirts and denim capris and ask if they're ok. *Slaps forehead*

To the sister of my other student (both are in my advanced jazz): So Susie's not here because she broke her finger? Ahhhh! We have a parade in 2 weeks and she doesn't come to class because she broke her finger?! You don't need a finger to dance!

SO, let me get this right. You're not coming to class tonight because you're just getting back in town (2 hours BEFORE your first class starts) and YOU'RE TIRED?! Do you NOT remember me telling you last week how IMPORTANT it was for you to be here this week because the competition choreographer was coming in?

But thanks for leaving a message on the machine to let me know you're too tired to come in.

Though, I must say, I don't know why you were out of town. It's not common for you to go out of town in the middle of the week, so I hope everything is okay. But if there were some reason you had to go out of town, I wish you would have said something other than "I'm too tired to come in".

People using the excuse of being "too tired" is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine! Suck it up and do what you've got to do.

Parents: Get your kid to class on time, please. 15-20 minutes late for a 45 minute class is COMPLETELY unacceptable.
Child that is late: Get in the classroom and START DANCING. Do NOT disrupt the rest of the students who were here on time, if not EARLY, like they are suppose to! If you're late, you are the LAST ONE to start having conversations with ANYONE.

Oh god..I'm going to burst

Hands Jeannie duct tape for her to use, no bursting allowed (wink) and... pours tea for all. Whew! What a rough week it's been?

Here's mine:

Student in sweats: No you cannot do ballet class dressed like that. Pardon? You have hip hop next and don't feel like changing? Don't be so lazy, changerooms are to your right. What do you mean you didn't bring anything else to wear? Then sit and keep the floor warm, you will not be dancing...
Parent of Student wearing sweats: Do not come in here at the end of the evening and become outraged to learn that not only did your lazy child not dance in ballet class because she was out of uniform but also hip hop class because she is out of uniform. You said it was ok for her to look like a slob. Do not make up excuses that "it's a stage" she's going through. Be the parent! For goodness sake. Who is the adult in that family anyway?

Students who were ousted out of major choreography: you were told you had classes Halloween. It was explained to you that when you wanted the more advance class to be with your friends that this class was one where you would be expected to dance hard and attendance is a must whenever class was scheduled. This class is at a competitive level. Don't suddenly decide that you want to go out trick or treating on Halloween only to come back the next week and find out that you have been scrapped from the beginning portion of the choreography. Why are you surprised. You were warned, it was explained in detail, you were warned again. Hope the candy was worth it.

To new teacher: no you cannot move a difficult and struggling student to another class, why don't you just do your job and "teach" this student dance. She did well last year. Please do not compare her to another student who is not struggling. You do this to motivate her? No you cannot put her with the beginners, she is 9 not 4, that would be insulting. Maybe this would motivate her to work harder? I'd be inclined to think it could make her quit. I find it strange that she works very hard for everyone else but you... Perhaps instead of teaching just tricks you should concentrate on technique? You don't have time to spend on this child? You think you were rooked this year and that another teacher has better students than you do? Perhaps her students are better because she actually teaches them the full hour and doesn't flirt for 25 minutes or drink coffee and then rush the classes through to make up time? You can't be bothered going over details? Then why are you there?

Oh yes, you do know that there is also a dress code for teachers right? I think you should rethink the three sizes too small leo and the lack of bra. No I'm not jealous but I watched you teaching the other day and I doubt the students appreciated seeing the "thong" effect when you bent over or the escaping boob trick when you lifted your arms. Just a bit of advice, most DD size women prefer to wear bras. You seem to put a lot of time and attention into your makeup and hair, just focus a bit further south? I noticed the other night, you seemed to have a lot of time for Shelly's father?? Perhaps less flirting with single fathers and more attention to their kids would help? As for your struggling student why don't you book one on one with this child every Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. That way you can make extra money and help the student catch up? You would but only her aunt could bring her and you can't relate to "that" woman??? I see in other words, you'll have to spend less time flirting and more time actually doing what I pay you $22 an hour to do --- your job. You sure you know what it means to be a teacher of dance?

And finally, do not use my phone again to discuss your plans with friends after work, or this cute guy you met at the coffee shop for 20 minutes when you should be in class teaching, do it on your break. Your students need you. Arrrrrg!

Remember: Confucious say: One who ticks off SO, will quickly find themselves SOL (wink)

to the mother of one of my students:
I do not care that your daughter is in 11th grade, she still cannot join my advanced class. If she hasnt taken dance since she was 4, that does not qualify her to take class with the ones who dance 6 days a week and have been for the past 14 years!!!

to the studio owner:
How could you let this girl into my advanced class, even though I told you she does not have the technique and cannot handle the work, and I explained to her why she could not be in that class. She has only danced 1 year of ballet and it was way above her head, she needs to learn the basics, and how could you let her be on pointe with no technique...how could you let any of them on pointe no one has enough technique or strength! I dotn want to see dancers hurt themselves, taht is why i refused to teach pointe this year. I dont care if you lose 1 student....1 student ...or 1 teacher(who is about done putting up with you letting the parents run your studio)


I probably would not quit, becuase I love dance so much, and I would stay for those few that actually want to learn, and do not want to talk the whole class. I am sick of parents, and I am sick of the SO giving into them. Dont be mad at me when the dance at recital doesnt look amazing...i cant be a miracle worker with ppl who have only 1 yr of experience in my advanced class. Oh, and I truly dislike when you let them sit around and talk instead of dance during some classes you teach...it really makes it hard for me to get their attention, and keep them quiet and concentrated when they ahve been allowed to talk all the time in other classes.

Wow,..i feel so much better....last night was a rough night!!!

I have a 6 yr. old that literally just stares into space! When she does dance she purposfully doesn't follow what I do and it seems like it gets worse every week.

Me: Now do 8 marches in a circle
Annoying student: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12...
Me: We're only doing 8 marches
Annoying student: I want to do 12
(Me pulling my hair out!)

I have to tell her to stop hanging on the barres and not to touch the mirror at least 10 times in an hour class. She can watch 7 other girls do something across the floor and then when it's her turn asks me "so what are we doing?" All I'm thinking is YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! This girl is supposed to be in a ballet/tap/jazz combo class with the SO but she wasn't good enough to move up so I got stuck with her in my 5 yr. old ballet/tap combo. She seriously has the attention span of a 3 yr. old.

I was going to start a new thread but this works out nice.

To my whiners (the things I wanted to say tonight:
If you are hot - you are dancing hard
If you are thirsty raise your hand and you can get a drink of water
If you are tired- get more sleep the night before or take a nap at naptime
No your are not sick- your are feeling just fine. Just because so-so is sick doesn't mean you are
Your toe/heel/foot hurts- You've been dancing for an hour so it's fine if it and you are tired. ----- or you have been whining all class- I would belive you if you said your throat hurt your foot shouldn't

In my first two classes I had a total of 8 whiners.

To the parents who drop their kids off late:
Class starts excatly at __:00pm. You are paying for a full hour/1 1/2 lesson. You are robbing your child of valubale learning time and becoming a distraction to me and the other students. Please arrive ON TIME or EARLY next week. It's not like this is your first class or a one time late deal. Thank you!

(one unrelated to dance:)
To my car-
Why did you have to die on me yesterday an hour before my first class so I got up to the studio late- please stop costing me so much money and inconvience I DON'T NEED THIS!

I feel better- I'm going have to use these thread often

Dear Parents...Obviously, there's an issue that I need to clear up with you.

I dont know if you've noticed or not, but I'm a DANCE TEACHER. Thats what I was hired to do, what I've been trained to do, that's kinda the reason why you drop your kids off to me every week. I dont know what rock you're living under, but I am NOT A BABYSITTER.

THEREFORE...When your child's class ends at 8:00, and ESPECIALLY when its my last class of the night, how about you try picking up you kid ON TIME?? I'd really appreciate it if you picked up little Susie at 8:00, not 8:45. I dont exactly get paid for the 45 minutes I sat around and just waited for you to show up. It's a difficult concept, I know, but the excuse of "I forgot she was at dance tonight, teeheehee" KINDA DOESNT CUT IT.

UGHHHHHHH.