I have a funny story that goes along with the previous comment about us "knowing the size of their children".
This past season I made things soooo easy on the parents...or so I thought. I put up sign up sheets with sizing charts next to them for tights and over under orders. all the parents had to do was look at the sizing chart, find their childs size, and wirte it on the sign up sheet. Then we would order the requested sizes in everything that their child need for the recital, put the $$ on their regular monthly invoice for them and hand it to them when the products arrived.

You would have thought that we were asking them to build us a new studio.
"you just measured them for costumes...don't you know what size they are"
"you have her for your next class, can't you just look at her loetard and write down the size....(this woman said this with a Dunkin D coffee in one have and a magazine in the other sitting on the comfee couch in my waiting room.)

This year I will do none of these things. I will let them go to the dance stores in recital season and JUST TRY to find the CORRECT tan tights, in their daughters siz(that just happens to be 90% of the other dancers size and is on back order until 2008)

I will let them stress about the fact that they waited until dress rehersal to but ballet pink tights.......and there are non left in anystore for a 100 miles radius.

They will all see how easy it could have been......and how silly it is for the 300 moms to have to go to the same stores looking for the same thing when I would have just taken care of it for them if they would have treated me with respect!!!

so this ex-coworker of mine is bugging me so much. i hate to stress over her since she's no longer around, but it's annoying me to no end.

When interviewed, she told our boss and the rest of the staff that she had previous teaching experience. She had all these credentials (which turned out to be false) and talked a good game.

Turns out that at competitions, she made a fool of our studio and herself, messing up children's choreography, making a scene in front of the parents...THEN, oh, and then...she comes to me with crap about how my students arent producing at all...this and that...blah.

Tell me why, at the recital, my students were fine and hers were the ones who couldnt remember the choreography...they stopped in the middle of her piece and laughed themselves to death. walked right off the stage!!!

Needless to say i was laughing my ass off, but still. you know? what does that make our studio look like?

To add, she's just been this prick in my side, complaining about everything from who my boyfriend is to why i dress a certain way. I'm like, listen chica, stay outta mine and ill do the same. FRUSTRATION!!! ARGH!

So now shes gone. Everything should be over but its not.
This years amount of students within the studio is almost non existant. Parents are telling us via phone that they're scared their kids wont progress with our studio because of her fuck ups. And me teaching classes with 3 students in them is not making me any money...
I AM NOT HAPPY...

but at least i vented. grrrr....

EX CO-WORKER

so this ex-coworker of mine is bugging me so much. i hate to stress over her since she\'s no longer around, but it\'s annoying me to no end.

When interviewed, she told our boss and the rest of the staff that she had previous teaching experience. She had all these credentials (which turned out to be false) and talked a good game.

Turns out that at competitions, she made a fool of our studio and herself, messing up children\'s choreography, making a scene in front of the parents...THEN, oh, and then...she comes to me with crap about how my students arent producing at all...this and that...blah.

Tell me why, at the recital, my students were fine and hers were the ones who couldnt remember the choreography...they stopped in the middle of her piece and laughed themselves to death. walked right off the stage!!!

Needless to say i was laughing my ass off, but still. you know? what does that make our studio look like?

To add, she\'s just been this prick in my side, complaining about everything from who my boyfriend is to why i dress a certain way. I\'m like, listen chica, stay outta mine and ill do the same. FRUSTRATION!!! ARGH!

So now shes gone. Everything should be over but its not.
This years amount of students within the studio is almost non existant. Parents are telling us via phone that they\'re scared their kids wont progress with our studio because of her stupid mistakes. And me teaching classes with 3 students in them is not making me any money...
I AM NOT HAPPY...

but at least i vented. grrrr....

Jadelicious - sounds like you have a poser on your staff! arghhhh .

What I do is this:
If they show up 15 minutes late or not dresses to my liken, I have them sit out! I had one parent try to argue with me,and I asked them into my office, showed the police to them. she still wanted to argue with me and so I asked her to leave.
I also have the police hung up in the class room with the words in big red letters that state:
This is a "CLASS ROOM" and all rules will be followed! Consequences will be inforced if you fail to obey them!
I also have to vent some times. Especially lattly because I have students of recently divorced parents who are trying my paticents, and trying to control me! Not gonna happen!

If your a student:
Don't tell me I'm too slow during class,and complaine that I work you to hard during (warm up) crunches & push ups. I'll give you more....lol!

Here's one i love:

When classes started two weeks ago I looked at the list for my ballet 2 class which had 7 students enrolled , one of which's name looked familiar to me...then it hit me...i had her last year ad failed her! (where i teach we have report cards and just like in swimming if the students do not master a number of skills they do not pass).
To further explain i teach a ballet 1 and a ballet 2, now both these classes have the same age range (7&8year olds, but it depends on the previous level they took to take the next class).
All my other students are at the right level but this girl failed to pass the beginner class how can she decide to skip a level?
When she came into class the mom saw me and i am rather delighted that she decided not to say two words to me. I am glad she was intimidated. i plan to negotiate to have this child moved to the lower level which i also teach that same day, same location...only at nine instead of noon.
Now i ask this how do parents expect thier child to excel if they do not let them naturally progress and think they shoyuld move up...who gave them teaching experience and dance knowledge?!!!
Why do parents think you are in the wrong when it comes to evaluating thier child's dance skills...i thought after 20 years of dancing i was the expert not them!
Thanks for the time to vent...i feel better now!

Here's somethings I wish the students knew...
THere is always someone better then you. (I hate people with "Little Miss THing" attitudes)
different people can do different things. (Everyone is good at something)
We don't have time to do everything (There are tons of stuff I'd love to do but right now we have to focus on the performance.)
Patience is a virtue. (Why do they feel that they should or must yell at another student but I shouldn't?)

THat only happens once in a while though...

Just reading this has helped me vent!!! I double everything, no triple it!

We have vending machines right outside the gym doors. Before class (like two minutes before) all the girls stuff themselves full of candy and pop. Then they whine and complain their tummies hurt during class. UM HELLO!

I feel better now... After 20+ years of operating, teaching, etc. I really don't blow up like I use too...Maybe I need to.. I just complain to my husband (Who doesn't hear well anymore) and go on.. I know most of you are younger and I do want you to know that it does get easier as the years pass by however, there is always a new problem to face (Cell Phones In Class).. Parents attitudes will always make you a little crazy but you grow to expect the unexpected. It is a great life... I wish I had dance.net 20 years ago when I really could have used such a strong support system. I just had to learn from my mistakes...really we all do... Now I have former students bringing me their kids to sign up for class....It's worth it

I must vent about this- my biggest pet peeve is misinformation about the dance form I teach. When ballet, tap, jazz, or clogging teachers think their credentials in ballet, tap, jazz, or clogging qualify them to teach a completely unrelated form of dance in which they may have had no training. I am grateful when a studio that wants to start, say, a hip hop, Irish, or belly dance program (three of the most frequently such abused dance forms in my area) does their homework and actively seeks out the most qualified teachers. It doesn't happen often, though.
A lot of the same teachers and studio owners who downplay the differences between dance forms (usually to convince their students that their experience in one form of dance is all the qualificaton they need to teach this other form) have also downplayed the credentials of more qualified teachers. Some certifications may be nothing more than pieces of paper. But I didn't train for 20 years, memorize a hundred dance tunes and 34 dances, prepare at least 15 more dances of every level to perform and teach just for my exams, and teach strangers before a panel of other teachers just so someone could tell me to my face that my certification is only a piece of paper.
I have learned the hard way just how embarrassing or just plain heartbreaking it can be for everyone involved when people persist in teaching dance forms they don't know. Half the time, it seems, when students seek out a more qualified teacher, they are shocked to find out just what they missed out on and are embarrassed for themselves and for their former teachers when they have to pretty much start over at the beginning. And it's tough for the qualified teachers. I do have to soft-pedal the awful truth, becaus as much as I'd like to educate people about the importance of finding the most qualified teacher in general, and about authentic Irish dance in particular, I never want to come across as bashing any other teacher, no matter how unqualified.

I have another one:
I hate it when the kids run home and tell their parents something that I supposedly said but really didn't. The other day I had a mom call me and tell me that her child was crying her eyes out because I told her she couldn't be in the tap dance because she hadn't paid her money! Umm no- what I said was "Everyone needs to bring me their costume payment by Monday so I can order your costumes. I won't order a costume without the payment so don't forget because you won't be able to perform without one!"
Or how about when I get a call from a mom telling me that "suzie" says I've been yelling at her and have been mean to her. Um ok.... when suzie is the one that is rolling around on the floor instead of practicing toe touches then yes, I'm going to sternly tell her to get up and participate. That doesn't mean that I went off screaming and yelling at her!!
Everyone's child is such an angel and I am the wicked witch!! grr

Oh i have had that probelm also. this was a few months ago.

A student went home and told her parents that I called her "Porky". WHAT THE HE** ??!!??!! I have never called a kid a name, nor commented on a weight issue. Let alone this kid is not even porky, AND i dont even use that word.

When her mom emailed me, I about lost it. I laughed so hard, and thought to myself, 'if this mother wants to belive what her child says, then i am not going to defend myself for the rest of the years she is here.' And the best thing of all, when i supposly called her this was in class, with 4 other girls, and another teacher, and parents in the room. Now tell me how would NO ONE else would not hear me say that?? Everyone was asked about the 'problem' and NO ONE heard it.

The girl is going through the rough stage of going from elem school to middle school, and starting her period, kids at school picking on her. All those wonderful things in life. Just is having a hard time adjusting and she needed someone to blame for something one day and I was it.

But i hate when stuff like that happens. The kids need someone to blame for something to make them feel good about themselves.

STAGE MOMS! oh - they make me so mad. Refusing roles for their Children. Yes refusing. Demanding changes......being downright rude to other performers and just generally being in the way and being a pain in the rump!

This really annoys me. I'll be grocery shopping or banking or something else like that, and I'll run into a parent who wants to talk about their child's dance class, or whether or not they can do a solo, etc. I'm sorry, but phone me during business hours, or talk to me at the studio, or email me, like everyone else does!

MissChristie- I know what you are talking about! That drives me nuts! I coach all star cheer and gymnastics and my phone is constantly getting blown up. Once a parent called when I was on my way out the door for my daughter's dr appt. I told her I had to go because I was taking my daughter to the dr. She insists it will only take a sec, rambles on forever, then gets upset again when I say I have to leave. I make to the dr appt, late, so they reschedule if you are late AND charge you 25.00. The following practice the mom told me that she thought it was rude that I couldn't continue to talk to her on the phone, so I told her about being late and the fee I was charged. She gives me this look like 'well thats what you get for being rude to me'. OMG! Some people!!!! Oh and did I mention, the place I work for is non profit and I do this all for FREE and still get treated like this?

I now run 2 studios, one in the city I live and the other in a suburba bout 20 minutes away. They are 2 completely different worlds. At my new studio (suburban) about half of the parents walked in and paid the entire year on the first class. At the other one, I am still fighting to get September tuition from some!

Ok, I've stayed out of this thread for a while, but this one pushed me over the edge and I REALLY need to vent.

On Saturday I had a parent come up to me to let me know that she had no idea the children had 3 concerts at the end of the year (even though it has been in EVERY newsletter since the beginning of the year and reiterated by me EVERY term) and that she'd booked a holiday for her family and another family in the class, so it would be fine for the 2 children to be in the first concert but not the second two wouldn't it?

Um hello NO! There are 19 children in this class all aged 5 and 6. For starters, the concert is in 3 weeks! The routine has been choreographed, positions are set, their costumes have been ordered. It's not fair on children that age to change the routine again now, they struggle as it is on the stage without anyone to follow, let alone having to change their positions between performances so I'll be buggered if I'm going to go out on a limb for this parent. So I said no, the children couldn't be in the concert. Harsh I know and I HATE it that the children are going to be so disappointed, but you have to draw the line somewhere, and I'm not going to compromise the wonderful families who organise their holidays around our rehearsals and concert every year for this kind of arrogance.

Grrrrr.....

Adult dancers who bring their children to class because they don't want to miss it but couldn't find a baby-sitter. Yes, your son/daughter is darling, and yes, I understand the situation you're in, but if little Johnnie or little Suzie runs across the centre one more time, they're going out in the hall - and so are you.

I love those comments about students, you completely hit the nail on the head. How hard can it be to count eight and then go?
I also enjoy the blank looks after I explain an exercise and ask if there are any questions... does that mean no? Does it mean you REALLY didn't get it? Even better when you ask for questions, get none, ask if they've understood and know the combination, get a yes, and then they can't remember it when they start. I love that.

I think this is incredibly theraputic! Here is my list:

1. Parents, please don't get mad if I tell you your child needs extra help and is not keeping up with the other kids. You have two choices, move your child down a level so she can actually learn steps, or stay in the more advanced class and get left behind...

2. Teenage students, you are old enough to choose if you really want to dance. If you are going to have an attitude every time you come to my class, don't come.

3. My pointe class requires POINTE SHOES! And yes, we are going to wear them every week all class. And don't whine when we do pointe work, it was not long ago you were begging me to put you on pointe!

4. Parents, if your child is screaming that she does not want to dance, please do not stay in the room with your screaing child promising treats, scolding or begging your child to dance. I have other students who are there to dance and you are distracting!

5. Parents and Students, please be aware that I get to choose the music and the costume because whne it comes down to it, people will judge the recital/dance based on the teacher and I want it to look a certain way. When you are the teacher you can pick whatever you want!

Thanks for listening!

Hi~
I'm new to this site and just did a cursory read through some of the venting and it a bit of a relief to know that we're not alone in our frustrations!

We live in a smallish town where drill team, dance team, cheerleading, soccer, swim team, and pretty much everything else comes first.

So when folks are done running every which way but sane and want their darlings to perform on stage in something less "Brittany Spears," we get fit in to their nutzy schedule. And then the excuses start for why they can't be at every rehearsal.

Right now we are setting our sights on bringing up the smaller kids to love ballet, (we're fairly new to the area,) and weeding out the teens who just want to be cool now that they are learning what hormones are.

There have been 2 teens who actually went so far as to lie about being at ballet so they could go off, unsupervised, to do who knows what!

When I was their age, all I wanted to do was dance, but it seems that there is little passion with so many of these young people. And it doesn't help that their parents are all over the place too.

On the positive side: the one young man who has been coming since I started is actually growing up and improving, (he doesn't have a "natural" ballet body, so every gain has been through effort and consistancy.) Also, we do have some parents who are real fans and who appreciate that we don't dress their children to look like MTV refugees. Some of the girls are starting to listen better and are getting the body sense of what ballet technique should be.

I'm looking forward to the day when one of our current little ones transforms into a lovely ballerina and all the local folk can see what ballet can be.

Cheers

Hi~
I'm new to this site and just did a cursory read through some of the venting and it a bit of a relief to know that we're not alone in our frustrations!

We live in a smallish town where drill team, dance team, cheerleading, soccer, swim team, and pretty much everything else comes first.

So when folks are done running every which way but sane and want their darlings to perform on stage in something less "Brittany Spears," we get fit in to their nutzy schedule. And then the excuses start for why they can't be at every rehearsal.

Right now we are setting our sights on bringing up the smaller kids to love ballet, (we're fairly new to the area,) and weeding out the teens who just want to be cool now that they are learning what hormones are.

There have been 2 teens who actually went so far as to lie about being at ballet so they could go off, unsupervised, to do who knows what!

When I was their age, all I wanted to do was dance, but it seems that there is little passion with so many of these young people. And it doesn't help that their parents are all over the place too.

On the positive side: the one young man who has been coming since I started is actually growing up and improving, (he doesn't have a "natural" ballet body, so every gain has been through effort and consistancy.) Also, we do have some parents who are real fans and who appreciate that we don't dress their children to look like MTV refugees. Some of the girls are starting to listen better and are getting the body sense of what ballet technique should be.

I'm looking forward to the day when one of our current little ones transforms into a lovely ballerina and all the local folk can see what ballet can be.

Cheers

ahhh YES!!! VENT!!

1) Just because your kid is in dance does not mean they will start doing triple perriouettes and fouettes! C'mon!

2) parents, your sitting in class..you can at least show a good example to YOUR KID by being quiet..

3) If you have kids that aren't in class, keep them under control!!

4) If your in class no you cannot sit out if you think your sick or if you scraped your finger.

5) Front line, backline..I can see you all!!

phew..
i'm sure there's more under my skin somewhere..