To the rain:

Do you know how much harder it is to teach when your class hasn't been able to go outside and let off steam all day? Couple that with the fact that there's 10 boys and 2 girls...and they're in an afterschool program...and boy do I have a headache! Two classes worth of kids that haven't been able to run around all day. I know we need rain...but if you could only rain during the hours the kids are learning, and not when they are playing, that'd be great.

Dear Students-with-class-one-day-a-week:

You will not improve if you do not practice at HOME!! I cannot work miracles after one hour, once a week. And PARENTS OF THESE CHILDREN: like I said I am NOT a miracle worker, little Susie will not improve by only working in class. Extra time is required. If you don't want to put in the time, do not waste mine.

Dear Comp students; If you are not willing to push yourself, you will not advance. yes the younger students are doing harder steps then you...know why? because they practice and work thier butts off. They DON"T complian after one half-ass try that they can't get it and then never do the step again.
Also, I don't care of Jimmy, or Tommy likes you or if so-and-so is a slut at school, this is dance class, unless you are discussing how to improve your jumps, I don't want to hear it. And I certainly don't want to hear about your party weekend when you are supposed to be practicing your grand jete! Now you see why you don't improve...half the job is caring about what you are doing!


Alright I think ia m good now!

After a stressful evening of classes, I feel sooo much better reading that people have my same problems at studios that are probably much "older" and "better" than mine! (We're in our 3rd year.....in a very small town) I especially feel for all the "to students that.....! You all are great!

PT

As a student i witness alot of the stress that my own instructor endures. I WOULD LOSE MY MIND. Im pretty sure that most of you have those days when you want to yell at parents and students but thats not a great idea... So i just wanted to say that iam happy that all of you haev a place to vent. Thanks for all that you do you keep girls like me working hard.

My favorite question to ask parents is, Where did you get your dance degree from. The think that just because their child can spin around 2 times it's a double pirouette. Their kid must be a diva if she can do a split and hold her leg up behind her ear. They have no clue and let me do my job. My most successful students were the ones who's parents let me do my job

fouette657 wrote:

So i just wanted to say that iam happy that all of you haev a place to vent. Thanks for all that you do you keep girls like me working hard.

You're welcome! Students like you make teaching worthwhile no matter how stressful it gets.

fouette657 wrote:

So i just wanted to say that iam happy that all of you haev a place to vent. Thanks for all that you do you keep girls like me working hard.

You're welcome! Students like you make teaching worthwhile no matter how stressful it gets.

Another problem I see is sideline coaching. At the studio where I teach, I have seen parents giving their kids instructions from the side of the studio. Even though two of these mothers also teach at the studio, I still say, LET THE TEACHER WHO IS TEACHING THE CLASS GIVE THE INSTRUCTION!

Thanks so much for making your comments about your SO. I have such similar problems with mine that they could be the same person. I am leaving the studio at the end of this season and I can't wait for it to be over. The students are fabulous and so are the parents but my boss is just awful. I am so tired of hearing how the enrollment is down but she can still go on several trips a year and has a pool in the back yard. I get a promotion but no raise to go with the extra work and responsibilities that it brought. No thank yous for my competition pieces winning and representing her studio. The students have all become dollar signs to her - no longer are they people who matter - just a way to make more money. I am tired of hearing of how I'm like the daughter she never had - I have my own mother who I love and respect. If you want the students to dance better then treat them better - calling them stupid or fat is not going to help. I'm tired of making the peace for you with parents and students. I'm just tired of making you all this money and never seeing much of it for myself after all the work I do.

Ahhh!!!! If you have a private lesson at 10am on a Saturday don't saunter in at 10:30 and say "sorry I was sleeping" You know what??? I could have used that extra half an hour of sleep too....but no I came to the studio, waited for you and now you only pay me for half of the hour I was suppose to see you!!!! I was here so you should pay me for the time I sat here waiting!

my big left toe use to look normal... now it looks like something i've left in the fridge for over a year or something.

at times i dont get the chance to warm up if im late for work and i have to get straight into teaching hour after hour after hour... at the end of 'that' day i feel like bricks... and stairs! i hate them!! the fact that i'm in the process of getting a car means more travel on foot... and i hate that too... i think my legs are taking on more then they can handle!

barely any time to eat... so my meals are all squeezed in...

and "yep yep yep" arrogant students.... you dont know it all! why do you think your here learning!

the sacrifice for the love of dancing... it's worth it, i suppose. *sigh*

Hmm, lets see.....When we SAY no underwear....THAT MEANS NO UNDERWEAR....ever!!

To my sweet but frustrating SO:

Please don't ask me to teach a modern class when our girls only take 45 minutes of ballet a week. Please give them another ballet class so they don't leave these stupid competitions feeling like dirt because their technique is substandard.

Even the parents are begging me. When will you listen?

Ummmm...Disrespectful students! This year has been the worst for them. They talk during class, they answer back, they don't pay attention and then expect you to go over it, and when you don't, they go home and tell their parents that the teacher doesn't review, they don't go home and practice, hence, they come in the next class or dance team practice and forget their number...shall I continue???? We aren't a carrying the ruler around, yelling, and screaming dance school, and we don't WANT to be. We want the students to enjoy their classes, dance team practices and such, that is why we have such a good rep. BUT...you give them an inch and they take a mile! Kids are just difficult nowadays!

I'm so glad yesterday is over. It was a beautiful, sunny day here yesterday and almost 70 degrees (after 2 or 3 weeks of under 40 degrees).

Now for the vent. I started my class as usual and did lots of jumping because we rarely do that in our class. After jumping we had a video for stretching which is also a rare occurance. At this point the kids were all asking for drinks and to go potty. I do let them go to the fountain and potty if they must. I guess I shouldn't have because near the end of class about 10 minutes to go, while we were practicing their dances, ONE of them SAT DOWN. They all know that we don't sit down without permission. So ONE sat down, then another and then the rest of the class. I asked them why (I know bad idea) and the first sitter answers, "I don't want to dance anymore." I looked to the rest of them and said "You all don't want to dance anymore?" I got a few nods so I said, "Alright, Class Dismissed, Everyone out." Then I open the door and they all run out. I couldn't believe it. I wanted to spank each one, I never would but I wanted to. I followed them into the hallway and continued to say, "Well, if this is your decision I can't wait to see you all go onstage and screw up your dance because you didn't want to practice. Oh well." Then one little angel says to me "I still want to dance." I answered, " OK, I'll dance with you, let's go inside." There were 2 of 6 parents in the hall I think. And they were baffeled when the kids came out so early. But after I went back in with the little angel all of the rest came filing in and took their places in line. I just couldn't believe it. It took one to screw them up and it took one to bring them back.

But it's just in my head, should I have done something different? Did they actually learn anything? Should I punish the sitter next week? AARGH? I really hope I feel better after writing this.
MissAmandaRF

Haha, I've done that and also had it backfire. Never ask kids if they don't want to dance anymore. What are you going to do if they say that they don't!!

And no, you can't punish the sitter next week. A consequence has to be immediate at that age. If she sits down again, then by all means deal with it, but you can't punish her for something she did the week before.

What do you guys do when someone sits down? I'll try and get them up and get them to dance with me, but if they're really done, then I just tell them to move over and sit at the side so they don't get tripped over.

I'm tired of parents that won't take no for an answer! They seem to think that they are above rules and deadlines and that thy should always get their way. I had a parent who decided at the last minute that her daughter wanted to compete at a nationals that our studio wasn't attending. I told her that I would have to go in order for her child to compete and that I wasn't able to go. The parent took it upon herself to call the competition director (without my knowledge) to get them to make an exception with her daughter. The comp. director then called me and chewed me out because parents were not supposed to call the comopetition director!

Ok, not a vevnt about any of my kids, but about my studio owner. I dance in her company.

We've learnt ONE piece since September. ONE. We rehearse 1.5 hours, twice a week and take technique outside of that. That's insane. We have a performance on Sunday, which you can't be bothered to show up to, just like you can't be bothered to show up to our classes or rehearsals. That 6 weeks you just didn't show up for in Jan/Feb? Yeah, we could have rehearsed then. We haven't even cleaned this piece yet. Those last four Tuesdays where you've waltzed in 15 minutes before the end of class, tried to teach more of the class routine, then spent 30 minutes chatting to your students when we need you and are waiting for our rehearsal to start? Not cool. We perform on Sunday, and you're out of town for our Thursday rehearsal. We have timing questions we haven't been able to ask you because YOU'RE NOT THERE. We rehearsed for 2.5 hours on Tues night, then you show up at 9:30, when we're on our way out of the door and expect us to stay to show you? Right. If you don't care, why should we? Oh, except we'll be on stage looking stupid.

We're a performing company, who, in the past has performed many tmes a year. This year we're doing one performance and the studio recital? What's the point? What happened? We know you threw this piece together right before another performance last April...so it's not like this is even new material this year. Let's be honest. We've done nothing.

We're..oh, 5 weeks from rehearsal. Your company has one piece to perform in the show. Your advanced modern class doesn't even have a whole routine. Good going. Good thing I stepped in to teach your preschool classes and taught them their routines in 4 weeks, and now they have 4 weeks to actually learn them, huh?

AAAHHHH

I love this thread!
But I have to warn you...This could be a long one...

To the SO:

There are 2 weeks until recital!! Why can't you understand that! 2 Weeks! That means 2 classes left! And you say you STILL haven't got our costumes! WHAT!!!! What if they are the wrong size! Do you just expect me to make the kids wear them, even if they are too tight, or big and look awful! Then I have to deal with the parents complaints!!! I am now stressed, and I can tell my girls are also getting nervous, wondering if we are actually going to have costumes! I had one parent, (who hardly ever complains, asks questions...the kind of parent you actually wish to have) ask me when her child would get her costume. Guess what? I had to look like an idiot and say I have no idea. You're the SO. You should be organized! You always leave stuff down to the last second, or the week before. AHHHH!

To that one parent who stays every week for their daughter's class. TURN OFF YOUR FREAKING CELL PHONE! I'm TRYING to teach a lesson, and all I hear is some guy start singing as your stupid ringtone. TURN IT OFF! Oh, and then, you proceed to start talking on it, and after 2 mins. go into the hall. You mine as well of just stayed in the studio. We can hear your roaring conversation perfectly. And then, in the middle of class, just as I'm trying to start the music, and teach the girls their cue to start dancing, you decide that would be the perfect time to choose a new ringtone! It is SO distracting! TURN IT OFF!! How do you expect my class to learn, when your on your cell, distracting everyone! We have to weeks left for recital, and we are definitly NOT ready!

And, to parents:

BRING YOUR KIDS TO CLASS ON TIME! I understand if maybe once or twice, it happens. But almost EVERY WEEK! Come on! Then your child comes in and instead of getting her shoes on stops, and, looks at us already dancing because she's 15 minutes late, and says why am I always late? Perhaps it because you don't understand that the class starts at 5:00! Not 5;15, not 5:05. 5:00! If that time doesn't work for you, then when you get your registration form for next year, check off *Prefer different time, if possible. or, talk to the SO, or me! Don't make the others suffer! I have to wait until 5:05 or sometimes even 5:10 or a little longer to start class, and the girls STILL haven't showed up! Everyone else made it at 5:00. Why can't you The class is only 45 mins. long. We don't have time to waste!

If you take two classes, one with me, and one with another teacher, don't ask me questions about the dance you're learning in the other class. For example, so and so said to come a little later tomorrow. What time should I go? I have NO idea! I don't know why she told you, so don't stop me, in the middle of class to ask me that. Ask her yourself! I wouldn't have minded so much if you had've asked before or after class, but right in the middle! AHHH! And then don't ask me what comea after this (girl does move) in the tap dance. I don't know! I don't yteach you tap! Don't interrupt my class to ask me that!

And, grade 4 girl, SPEAK UP! I'm glad you are asking questions, instead of not understanding something, but I can't help you if you mumble. And, if I ask you to speak up, SPEAK UP! Don't just ask me again with a low voice, and mumbling.

When I say to do something, DO IT! Don't ask me why I'm making you practice a certain move, or whine or mutter it's stupid, I don't care! Do it! If I say devloppe, do it! Don't whine saying...why...I hate these. I can't do them. Same with Releves. Don't whine. Then ask a minute later "When are we going en Pointe?" Well, you have to be able to do something before you go on pointe! Do you actually expect me to tell you you're ready when you can't do a single releve without complaining, and not even doing them! Jeeze!!!!

There are alot more but this is good for now...wow that felt good!

my costume's itchy (tough)

my costume's hard to get on (really? because when I helped you put it on it was just fine...sometimes costumes are difficult, deal with it)

Can I wear a ribbon in my hair? a flower? (no, it doesn't go with the look) why not? (I found a beautiful, sophisticated costume for you, opera length white gloves, vintage jewlerey...and you still want a ribbon and flower?)

can we order a bigger size, this ones tight? (ummm, sure, it'll get here a month after the show. I don't know why though, it fits perfectly right now and you're moving fine in it)

that headpiece is weird (i know, you're fairies, you're odd creatures...i'm just asking you to wear it on stage, not pictures. I knew you'd balk at wearing them at pictures so here's flowers instead)

why are tights important?
why is makeup important?
why do we need new shoes?

and the kicker...do costumes need to be ready for picture day?

"and the kicker...do costumes need to be ready for picture day?"

I know what you mean, bunlessinseattle! Makes you want to smack your head (a la "Wow, I could have had a V-8)!
I had a 7-year-old at dress rehearsal on stage in full costume, hair, makeup, the whole enchilada with no ballet shoes on, just her tights. I asked her mom where her ballet shoes were, and she gives me this blank look and says, "Oh, they're in the car; does she need them?" DUH......

Day before dress rehearsal...Mom calls....The dog just ate my daughters jazz shoe and I don't want to buy new ones because she'll outgrow them by the fall...Can you go to the studio (I'm getting ready for my show grrr) and look in lost and found and see if someone left a pair that I can borrow? Do we wear costumes to the "dress rehearsal"? Duh...I just want to say read the 3 page packet I sent home with your daughter two weeks ago.

The kicker...Oh I know it's probably written in the paper you sent home but I haven't had time to read it...Then asks lots of questions... Do you have a visual of me pounding my head on the floor.....help.

It's the last class of the night, teachers, you know this feeling. One more hour, I can do it. 2 out of 7 girls want to be there. You wish the seven girls would just buck up and do the choreography but instead, their knees are bent, feet are looking like wet noodles,eyes are rolling, and no use of energy at all.

That's a great feeling isn't, teachers? When you've been working 5 hours and this is your last one and they look like doodoo and they seem that they'd rather shove doritos down their throat than actually use their port de brae correctly.

They say to me, "Oh, I'm in so many dances in the recital this year. (I'm thinking to myself, "really? you can't even do mine correctly, how are you doing 10?) We just love this piece that you've choreographed.(ok,stop sucking up, it's not working.)

The piece is very simple because I believe that they should have pointed feet in a tendue first before attempting some sort of fouette that they've practiced in the kitchen.

So we run the dance, I make corrections and then I'm interupted. "Uhm, teacher, why can't we do this in the dance?" Then she attempts a step that I have no idea how to describe it. I just look at her with a blank face, partly because I'm tired, and partly saying in my mind, 'because I've no idea how to teach what you just delopedly did, and we have two weeks before the show and you think I am going to change the piece for everyone to accomadate this move when none of you know how to point your feet... I DON'T THINK SO.

I am so glad that I am not the only one going through dancers showing up when ever they want to. My favorite one I had just this past Saturday is her dad din't want her up. She's 14. Why does dad still need to wake us up? My daughter is 9 and I set an alarm for her to get up. I also have girls asking me to go over steps to their dances. Our recital is the 23rd & 24th of June. I can not understand why some parents pay all the money and never make them practice at home. I have gone as far as making them write the dances down so that they have the steps with them. Most of the girls depend on my 9 year old and they are 12 to 14 years old. It drives me nuts sometimes and when I sit them down to talk, they do good for a few weeks them back to the same thing.

This is what irritates me....."We could make these costumes for a lot less that $65.00!! Bull!! You cannot! I got screwed by Dance Galaxy and a couple seamstress moms had to make 15 costumes in 4 days. the material was outrageous and I don't think people liked them that well. It cost a bundle, so now I can reassure those parents, that NO, it is not cheaper. It's a pain in the rear!