Okay, my thoughts are that paying the Premium fee seems reasonable, and I like the idea of a private board for teachers, with some forums remaining open. I have students on the site, and while I love them dearly, one reason why I post very little on this board, is that I don't think they need to hear everything about my teacher trials and tribulations.

My question - who would the 'current members' be? Would they also have to apply, and to whom? Moderators? I like the idea of an application process, but the voting logistics sound as though they could get a bit hairy...

I'll admit that I haven't posted that often, but I definitely enjoy the advice that I read on here. I pay to be a part of another private message board (a group of longtime friends) and it's worth it. I wouldn't mind paying a one-time fee to be part of a private teachers board, just as long as the process is equal and fair to everyone. My two cents. And as long as there's a non-private board for non-paying members to chat away, then I think it's fair to everyone.

Katy

One thing I worry about with voting is if someone can be voted out, and not for the fact that they are not a teacher, but if a bunch of people decide that they don't like someone's posts (unless continually offensive).

Once on the boards, what would have someone removed? If they no longer teach, would they still be on? If they are continually offensive and insulting?

Just some thoughts.

I agree with the others about the "voting." If we're teachers/studio owners and we paid, we should be able to be in. I've found this forum to be extremely helpful to me-particularly when I was opening my studio. We've been open for 4 months now and we're going strong...I implemented many of the things I learned on this board - even CompuDance...we use it! I'm a premium member, but I can't seem to access the Studio Owners section...is the same going to happen with the Teacher section? I think some things should be seriously gone over before implementing anything else.
My humble opinion.

Interesting idea.

How would members from a non-English speaking country have their teaching credentials verified?

How exactly would the payment work?

The voting also sounds a bit odd to me.
I'm not sure I understand how that is supposed to work and NOT be a sort of "popularity contest".

I am probably one of the newest teachers to register. So why would people vote me in? They really do not know me. I have posted and gotten some advice- but not sure I would pay for a message board.
I think the voting thing etc... needs to be laid out in detail first before launching the board. I would then decide- the $10 is not the issue- it would be how much benefit would I get from it.
Thanks
Kristina

Good lord! For a bunch of dance instructors, who I usually find to be very smart....a lot of you sure have things all out of wack.

ONE TIME FEE OF$10 for the private board.

I don't understand why everyone says they will leave if they have to pay....there will also be another non-pay board. Post there! Simple!

On the voting thing.....you would post your credentials and THAT is what the people would vote on.....they would vote you in if you seemed like someone who would be a good contributing member. right? right?

Although I'm not all that sure on the voting thing myself....seems like there would be too many complications and "holes" for it to work perfectly. At this time, I have no other suggestions to offer though. If I think of anything - I'll let someone know

you kill me lol

Creating TEACHERS ONLY,or whatever other exclusive boards deprives the rest of dancing community of valuable information and sets back the professional and artistic growth of the majority of the members.

Will studio owners have to be voted in?

How do you plan on having teachers prove they are teachers? In all reality a parent who has a child in the dance world, student, or assistant could easily portray herself as a teacher. Is someone going to call to check employment...?

Why doesn't anyone READ. There will be TWO boards. TWO boards people. One private, one not. It will not deprive anyone of anything. sheesh.

Let's make the switch!

The only people that will be "deprived" are the people who don't belong on the private teacher's board; I.E. nosey parents and students, and those who choose to not pay the piddly $10 to gain access.

There still remains the question of how a teacher is to be "verified" as such.

Especially when it comes to non-US members, this could prove to be somewhat difficult.

I am fairly new to this forum but have found it very helpful so far. I would be more than willing to pay $10 to see this go to a private site. I don't know about the voting thing. It seems that the teachers that I have read interacted with on the board, including myself, have extremely varied backgrounds. Who is going to be the judge of whether their credidentials check out or not.

This may seem like a silly idea, but what if you do as costume companies do. The teacher must show proof of a legitimate dance studio, school, coach, church, etc. If the teacher works for someone else, they could provide a pay stub or something with proof of employment in the field. I'm sorry if I am being redundant and someone else already mentioned this. Just my two cents!

How would prople check out where I work for proff that I'm a teacher? I work for the Granite Peaks school district at the local high school for a community rec. program. I am also reastablishing my dance troupe.

Thanks, Kim

I personally wouldn't pay to access the boards. I don't use the site very often, but like to get on every now and then. I haven't accessed the site in a while because I have a new baby, I spend more time with him that I would on any message board, so even though it's $10 one time...that's a package of diapers, and if I can't access the site, oh well, that's more time with my family.

I have enjoyed the help I have found on this site and would hate to loose it as a resource, but I wouldn't pay.

I agree, I love this site and enjoy the teachers forum but would not pay to become a member. What was really nice about this site is that we could all communicate...and it was free! I have never put a credit card online and don't think I will. If it was not for the teachers forum I would not even be on this website, so unfortunately you would lose this member.

I just joined and am a little taken back by having to pay for all the places I want to visit. I guess I'm just not used to this. I'm not giving up though. I'll probably break down and pay when I have the money.

I'm with you, Balletstar! Want to pay? That's $10 bucks and god help you if that breaks the bank! You've got some bigger fish to fry than a message board.
Don't want to pay? Don't have to. Everything continues as normal except there's a new link to a page you can't access.
Want to be voted in? Obviously going to be a more complicated process. I'd love for some feedback on that subject since almost everyone has mentioned the verification prolems involved. What if all paying members are simply members until their feedback suggests they do not belong on the forum? Don't know many parents that would fork over money just to snoop. And everyone on this message board is so helpful as is.
I wonder what would be different? Just the privacy issue?

So one must include one's teaching experience in applying... that basically makes sense but... As a new teacher, I would be concerned that I may not "qualify" to be voted in. For example, I'm being given my first class to teach this summer (intermediate level ballet). But what breadth of experience is required to belong to this new board? New, inexperienced teachers probably have similar questions about students and parents as other teachers. And I certainly would love to benefit from the wisdom of the more experienced teachers. Without knowing ahead of time about more specific criteria for membership, I would be hesitant about applying because I wouldn't want to be voted "not good enough".

I'm new here and certainly wouldn't pay to be on a forum. I am a member of loads and never heard of a forum that charcges you to leave messages....ridiculous really

kerry xx

I'm new here too and have enjoyed getting new ideas from all the posts.
I don't know about the voting thing either. I'd hate to really be a teacher and not be accepted - even though you're trying to weed out the parents/students.

The fee doesn't bother me. Just the voting I guess.

I too am a new teacher and am unsure about the voting. Don't mind paying the fee, but why must we be voted in if we have proof of employment?

Its a shame if you go ahead with it making the teacher boards public only (I can understand for studios and businesses, though).

I only teach preprimary only once a week, but I often come to this board for tips. but frankly many of us very part-time teachers (that many studios rely on to relieve them of too much stress and provide variety to the students) are too busy with the rest of our lives as it is to offically apply, pay for and be vetted by a site just for a job that takes a couple of hours a week

Most dance teachers I know who aren't owners only do a couple of hours a week, it would be a shame for all to not be able to access this valuable teaching tool without alot of hassle.

Now thats off my chest!

PS Love all your posts, by the way, even the difficult ones teach me so much, thanks for sharing DDN members!

Also reading teacher only posts gives me some understanding of what my teachers go through, how to treat them with respect, ect.

As with posting anything on the net, I always take care to leave out personal identifiers if I'm talking negatively about other people! (Like saying mid 40's instead of aged 43). Its always possible the person in mind could somehow read the thread, so would I feel comfortable if they did? Perhaps people on DDN are mature enough to deal with these issues without hiding them behind a curtain?!

does this even need to be stickied anymore? Its obviously not a big hit with alot of people.