One MAJOR vent that I have right now is: Why is that I am the go to instructor/choreographer to sub for teachers who, may ave legitimate or illegitimate reasons for not teaching (CONSTANTLY), but now that I have (military training) and other thing that is causing me to miss for the FIRST time EVER, I have to get CRITICIZED like none other for it!?

To top it off, NO ONE there has my back for hardly any of my classes!

So I say again: I sub ALL the time, in addition to my 17 OTHER classes I will hae in the fall, but now I need to be away and no is to be found. I don't know about the rest of you but that's some COW DUNG.

DbG

DancerbyGod wrote:

So I say again: I sub ALL the time, in addition to my 17 OTHER classes I will hae in the fall, but now I need to be away and no is to be found. I don't know about the rest of you but that's some COW DUNG.

I realize that we are venting and not problem solving, but it's my nature to do so! Would it be acceptable to find an outside sub for your classes? Maybe speak to your SO about finding someone who would pick up those classes that you miss. Someone looking for work might appreciate the opportunity to really shine at your school (in the hopes that an opening may occur in the future.) Or even a young teacher looking for her "big break". Because they are trying to make a good impression, they are likely to be reliable.

OKay. so my big vent...

background: I teach three and four year old tap and ballet. Most of my three year olds can barely listen long enough to learn the basics, but of course like any baby teacher, we still teach basics, get the children familiar with fine motor movements... etc.


On Saturday, one of the mothers stopped in to drop off her daughter, ensure that she was listening... etc. Well this mother signed her daughter up 2 weeks late (out of an 8 week class!!) So for the last few weeks the daughter has the worst attention span (of course) yadda yadda yadda. Then as the mother is getting ready to leave says, "this class is a little different than what I expected" confused, I responded, "I am not sure what you mean?" the mother "well I thought the girls were here to learn ballet(pronouncing the T & irritating me further)" Me "ballet? they are learning ballet. they are only three, they are learning the fundamentals of ballet the first half and then learning tap the second half."

This really bothered me. Does she expect her daughter to be doing pirouettes and jetes before she can even point her foot correctly or god forbid stand in first position? Ugh. I cannot stand ignorant parents.

What a nasty person you have become, I tell you (my longest time student and assistant for 3 years who I have paid for half of your classes because you couldn't afford them, picked you up, watched you when parents went away) that it was really tacky to quit via a text message and that after all that we have been through it really hurt my feelings. I really don't care that you will not be taking classes anymore the passion has been gone for a while, but I deserve to at least to be told over the phone or in person. when I tell you that I was hurt and I am tearing up in front of you, you actually laugh in my face and say "oh well". Who have you become? after 5 years there is nothing in you i recognize.

First week of classes and I have three returning dancers from three different public schools arrive with injuries from cross-country running training!

"Did your phys ed teacher give you instructions on warming up?", blank stare, "Did you attempt to warm up at least using some dance stretches for some kind of pre-activity preparation?" blank stare.

Dunno who frustrates me more, phys ed teachers who just say "Go run" without warming them up or making sure they warm up, or dancers who should know better!

Ack!

The other "main" teacher has more hours than I do. This isn't a jealousy thing, rather something that bothers me because of the fact that she's haphazard with her teaching- her choreography isn't great, and she's not very good at explaining things or handing out corrections. I've assisted her before when her summer classes got too big, and one of my sisters was in her class. She told me after the class that this teacher had never been so helpful before I stepped into the room, which told me that she doesn't pay enough attention to the students when she teaches alone (and only has about 5 kids at a time). Yet somehow, she ended up with more hours than me, and more choreography pieces. I've been told by the SO that my choreography is better, and that I'm a more efficient teacher. I've got 9-10 students at a time with no assistant, because I can manage my classes. She has more than 5 students and needs an assistant. This past weekend, she was supposed to come teach makeup lessons for the students of hers that missed. The SO reminded her every day that she needed to be there Saturday, and when she left the studio on Thursday (her last night of the week teaching) she even had said "see you saturday." Saturday came, and she never showed. The SO called her, and she was like "OMG I totally forgot." The SO was so mad at her. And I got mad too, because were that me, I would NEVER forget about my dance kids or having to teach them makeup lessons. It seemed to really annoy the SO, and he even said something like "That's a good way to get fired..." and I really wanted to say something like "If I were the one teaching those classes, I would never have forgotten, and you know it." (I could say these things because the SO is my boyfriend. However, I never say things to him like this, because I don't feel it's professional as a teacher...so I only think them, and hope he'll figure it out on his own, lol)

I hope that if we get a large influx of students within the next couple of months, he gives them to me, as he had hinted at doing before (there's another studio that seems to be going down the tubes- we've already acquired about 10 of their students due to this) because these short teaching hours are just killing me. I love teaching and not being able to teach as much as I'd like to is really disappointing (especially when I spent the whole summer under the impression that I'd be teaching MORE than I was last year, per the SO's promise, rather than LESS than last year.)

I understand that he did it because I'm working on my master's in education, but still. I can manage my time better than he thinks. (clearly, because I'm sitting here on DDN when I could be doing other work, but I don't need to because it's already done) This other teacher is not only just starting college (at 23 years old)but she's got a kid to worry about as well. So I don't really see the justification. GRR.

This is my vent...

DO NOT send your 5 year old daughter to her ballet EXAM WITHOUT a LEOTARD!!!!!! Especially not after the 6 newletters, 1 hour parent conference and 1/2 hour face to face explanation (the day before!) that specifically detailed how your child needed to be dressed.

Were they perhaps thinking that we regularly sent students in to dance naked for their examiner...?!?!

i love this. I'm not a dance teacher but I have been a music teacher and I am now a Kindergarten teacher. All your grizzles are not dance specific (except maybe the "5678 is you cue to move")!
I am a dance mother and have listened to teacher's bithc and gripe about other mothers. I imagine I have also been the subject of the bitching and griping at times too. I understand where you all are coming from and I take my hat off to you WELL DONE.
I must confess though, when I was a music (instrumental) teacher I did do my share of "burnig out" the kids. It wasn't so much the kids that I was getting rid of, but their parents. Now I think about it though and I guess they "won" the final round. I don't teach musinc anymore!!

KEEP UP YOUR EFFORT. As parents we may not say thankyou, but I know we truly appreciate what you are doing for/with our children. It's just not in our make-up to say thankyou as much as we should, so THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU.

I have had small annoying things happen that ive just kept quiet about but they keep growing and soon I don't think im going to be able to.
Just a small vent:
My friend and I hold dance classes for children (we are both joint owners) We chose our term times etc. There was two weekends that I couldn't do but was told we needed to make a 5 week term etc. So I thought OK Thats fine. That would be fine until my friend only taught 3 of her classes and me taking all the rest of them!! Seems one rule for her and one for me. She hasn't asked me to cover this Wednesday yet, and I know shes away on a course.
OK vent over.

Dear Dancing Dad.

I'm NOT sorry your child did not get a singing or speaking part in our summer camp musical performance. She sang off key and would not project. She was no where near the ability of the 13 kids who got a solo/line in the production of the 35 kids in her age group (6-9). Her dancing was fair in relation to the 50 plus students despite the fact that she "has been in a pre-professional ballet program for four years" which is a joke since she is going into 2nd grade (7 years-old). We do not show favoritism with seniority or to secure FINANCIAL DONATIONS from wealthy families. Where on our applications does it ask for "gross annual income"? Every child got a chance to be in the front row at one point when they were on stage. When your child left everyday she was all smiles! So when did we "crush her dreams and break her spirit"?

As far as saying that we lie, don't care about children and should read The Bible, that is almost as offensive as you screaming at our business manager on the phone for an hour and a half. Also 34 was not too young to be trusted when your registered your daughter, so when did this become an issue?

Glad you got that of your chest.

Just a wee word though about the chauffering you do. Has it occured that you how you are operning yourself up to problems.

If you have an accident you can be sure that these parents who were happy to accept you collecting there child would sue you if somethng happened.

Also I do hope you are not alone in the car with a childs as this can open you up to being accused of all sorts if the child decides she wants to get you in trouble.

Its a horribel world out there and full of people whom take take take and see every oppertunity to take advantage.

I would not take chidrn is my car; Keep it professional/

best of luck
marie

Parents that when you say only 2 guests per child for viewing week and they bring 6 or more people. I give a limit due to fire saftey reasons not because I don't want your family to watch your child dance. I'm allowed 35 bodies in the studio at a time I have 12 students and my self that I must have room for that leaves about 24 spaces left in the room and 2 people per child. And don't bring young children to viewing week and allow them to run around the studio, yes they count as a person in my room even if there 6 weeks old!! and Your toddler is annoying and distracting. Also your son's DS ect needs head phones if there going to be in the class room and use it. Don't make me stop class to deal with your other children the dancers are my responsibility not the other 20 children that are watching.

Also I"M NOT A BABYSITTER !!!! Pick up your child on time, if I have to call you about being late one more time to find out where you are after this has happened every class I'm calling child services. I'm allowed to call any time after 30min espically if you dont anwser your phone!!!!! I guess having to get your child from my supervisors office doesnt have enough of an impact. and I doccument every incident like this I have proof.

PLEASE STOP telling me how to do my job. If you know how to do it that much better then I do then please take over!!!
And NO you can't leave your child ten minutes before her class starts I get paid for one hour not an hour and ten minutes so you wait with her until the class starts!

Yes and to those other teachers that I am constantly subbing your classes....where are you when I need a sub once in a while????

No, Wellington boots are not acceptable foot wear for a Ballet class!!!!

No, your child cannot "just wear her suntan tights from last year" for her ballet routine in the Christmas performance 3 days from now. All of the other students will be wearing pink. You've been given countless letters/emails/dressing guides in the past 2 1/2 months with this information on it.

Yes, I understand that the high school football team will be playing a play-off game 4 hours away the same night as our Christmas performance. No it is absolutely not possible to change the date. It is done in conjunction with the town's Christmas festival. And seriously...you don't even have any kids in high school. Would you really rather watch somebody else's kids play football than your own child performing in a show that she's been working on for so long? Way to go mom, you're sure to win that mom of the year award this year. Between this and all the times you pick up your kid late, you've got it in the bag.

Dear dance mom,
YES, I did tell your daughter's jazz class that if they cannot focus and start practicing their choreo that they will not be allowed to take that dance to competition. NO, I didn't "threaten" them as you seem to like to put it. I simply made a general statement that they need to step it up as they have been out of focus and not practicing as of late. Do not tell me your daughter should be moved up a level. She is not ready and has not been ready for years. She is lazy and doesn't practice. She is the furthest behind and hasn't even been the one sitting out with a broken bone or missed more than 2-3 classes since September. It is sheer laziness on your daughter's part as she is the only person who still doesn't know steps that were choreographed months ago. It is not my fault that you have a supremacy issue and think that your daughter is so fantastic when in reality she is one of the laziest students we have. Just because she's flexible and has all her splits doesn't make her a fabulous dancer. Stop blaming me for your child's laziness as I have tried multiple times to help her and she just lets anything I say to her go in one ear and other the other. If you continue to act this way and make threatening emails and phone calls to my boss about me when he has seen the class tapes and knows you're full of crap then I will refuse to teach your daughter. Then where will she go? The only way she will go is down. The director won't take your daughter and the only teachers left after the two of us are the lower level instructors. So good luck with that.

i totally agree with you i feel the same way and have the same experiences all the timeeeee

SO I put my daners in their opening positions for their recital dance. We worked on three 8 counts (they're young). After class I had a parent call the owner and complain that their daughter was in the back! They are in two lines. Each has a "window" so they can be seen. I haven't even gotten through the piece yet and already this parent is suddenly a choreographer!!! So frustrating. Luckliy the owner had my back and basically told the mom to trust me or get out. The mom hasn't spoken to me since.

Thanks to the person/people for writting "NO" on all my buisness cards in the lobby. Do you realize how much money and time I spent on those buisness cards for you to go ruin them? "no" really what is the point. Don't worry I got my eyes on you!!

Vent over.
Thanks.

my favorite is when the parents drop their kids off late and then think its okay to not pick them up on time.... it doesn't matter how many times I talk to this one family, she gets picked up 15 minutes late every week. Its almost like they don't leave their house till the time the student gets out of class. It gets pretty annoying when you have worked all day long and you just want to leave at the end of the day.

lynzdanz - I have a policy that states we charge $1 per minute that a student is picked up after office hours. I've yet to enforce it, but I once had a parent like that and once I told them that I would start charging them, lo and behold, the kid got picked up on time!

^ and ^^ My sons preschool has a policy that if your child is not picked up X minutes after school is let out, they reserve the right to turn your child over to the police for being abandoned. It's a fairly small minute amount too. My fiance seems to recall it being only 5 minutes, but I think it's 30. To my knowledge, they've not had to call on anyone in the two years we've gone to school there, but you know they've got that policy for a very specific reason.

I know these have probably all been said but I just need to get them off my chest before recital so I can put on that happy face!

#1) If I take the time to type out a 10 page recital handbook detailing everything you need to know do not come to me with stupid questions & say "it doesn't hurt to ask". Because it does hurt to ask. It hurts my brain! Read your book and leave me alone.
#2) When you have messed up and not brought the correct clothes to picture day don't look at me and say I didn't know. Because 30 other people showed up in the correct outfit and I'm pretty sure they aren't all physic.
#3)When a competition cancels on me last minute and there is no way to go to another one don't yell at me about it! It's not my fault. You're getting your money back. I know it sucks but grow up and understand that sometime crap happens that we can't control and it's not the end of the world.
#4) Do not show up to picture day and fuss that you had no idea you had to pay for pictures. You were told individual packages would be available. How am I suppose to know that in your brain you inserted the words FOR FREE. And you aren't obligated to purchase anything!!! If you want them though you have to pay for them. Isn't that how things work everywhere...if not Chick-fil-a owes me a lot of money!
#5) Don't turn in your program ad 2 days late then come to me 3 days later and ask for the form back because you forgot to write "Love, Mommy" on it. And when I tell you it's already been set stare at me with big eyes like you're going to cry. Realize that if you would have turned it in on time to begin with then you would have been able to ask for a favor.
#6) This is my recital, my show, my production and no amount of you whining and complaining is going to make me change it. It's not my fault you read over things, don't understand, and don't bother to get clarification. I run the studio and I call the shots and no amount of money you can every pay me will take that right away from me. THIS IS MY BUSINESS TO RUN NOT YOURS!!

And on a side note, this is a letter I wish I could write:
Dear Parent,
I have heard through through the grapevine that you will be leaving next year and I am so excited. You're child never listens, talks back, complains, doesn't try, and none of my teachers want to teach her anymore. They have all requested to not be put over her level which has remained the same for the last 4 years because if any challenge is presented to her then her pinky magically starts hurting and she needs to sit down. And please apologize to her for me making her wear her hair in a ponytail because I have been told it hurts her brain. I know you want us all to be so sad your leaving but honestly I want to throw you a party. We are all so happy you and your one million excuses are leaving!

Wow, that does make a person feel better. I really do love my job but dealing with people can make you crazy & since I can't actually say this to anyone's face ever it's nice to have a place to vent it.

My vents of this year:

1. Why do all parents think that their excuse for their child missing class or rehearsal is the only valid excuse? I had one child miss 3 rehearsals and tons of class time for cheerleading, that according to her mom is a valid reason, but close to competition time a student's brother was hospitalized (the family was traumatized) and then the child herself got sick with the same thing that the brother had that caused him to land in the hospital. Oh, but aaccording to cheermom I should have thrown the sick child out of the routines for missing too much time. REALLY?

2. I am so tired of hearing HOW much time I require for rehearsals. I wasn't aware 2 Sundays a month for 1-2 hours was a ridicualous amount of time for rehearsals for a senior competition team.

3. The word mandatory, means mandatory! Be There! Come to class! Get in your car and drive your child to the studio! I didn't know I was speaking a foreign language.

4. A parent complaining that her 15 year old daughters dance music was changed in JANUARY and now in MAY it is the reason her daughter's routine isn't finished. OH, wait! Or her daughter asked for the music to be changed. Yes! Teacher asked me if it was okay. Sure 5 months is more then enough time to switch it up and still get it done. Student happy! Oh, wait! Student now not happy because the little sweetheart never practiced and was forgetting her steps from week to week. Teacher spoke to child many times about the importance of practicing. It's only a 1:55 long dance! Parent comes to studio screaming that it's the teachers fault her routine isn't done because music got changed again last week. Oh wait! No it didn't! Drum beats got added into it that made the 8 counts CLEAR AS A BELL for your kid that wasn't counting her music and caring enough to practice, but it was the same song!!! Really at 15 you aren't responsable to remember your own choreography after 12 years of dance. I guess the teacher should have gone home with her every night to make sure she practiced every once and a while.

5. Same mom as above! oh my daughter is owed 2 make up lessons for solos she missed! No she's not, she just took an extra hour with a teacher to do a school project about dance. The teacher worked it all out for her, videoed it etc. Oh, that didn't count cause the teacher said they would work with her! OF COURSE the teacher said they would work with her she was owed an hour of time! You got your time with the teacher that they owed you, they aren't giving you more!

6. Phone call: "I need you to help me out and try to move DD's solo lesson tomorrow." Me: "okay let me see what I can do" Call another mom ask her to rearrange her schedule and give up time for this girl. I'll take her at a different time, whenever she wants. Mom agrees, and we schedule her a time while we're on the phone. Thank you so much to this kind mother! Call mom #1 back, Miss so-so said you can have her daughters solo time. OH thank you thank you! Tomorrow comes and the kid doesn't show up, calls 15 minutes before the lesson is supposed to start, oh sorry cheer try outs. Great, I sit there for an hour with no student. Mom #2, who agreed to give up her time is now coming an hour later, yep to find to find out that she never had to make the switch to begin with because Mom #1 never showed. OOPS, but wait! Mom #1 now wants a make up lesson for this solo she missed. Are you serious? I bent over backwards rescheduling on short noticed, another parent was inconvenienced at my request because of it (thank god, great, sweet mother) and now you want a make up lesson basicly for what was aready a make up lesson since you didn't come at your normally scheduled time. Man this woman has some nerve. MAybe I should just leave an extra half hour open each week for her daughter to conveniently come whenever she wants.

7. These few kids are your favorites because they get the best dances! REALLY? I thought they just got much better then your child because they are in class 3 hours a day 4 days a week busting their butt and your child comes 2 times a week for two hours each day and half the time sits out of class cause she says she has school work to finish before YOU said she could come into class! Hmmm, just a thought that maybe that's why these kids dances look better and these kids have better technique, they are more dedicated!!!!! Just sayin!