Okay. I just got off the phone with my sister-in-law, and her daughter, 16 and her friend 15 have been assisting classes because they are on company. They assist 3 days a week, for about 3 1/2 hours a day. They only get 15% off of their tuition (which comes out to about $9 a month, and .30 an hour).
I could not believe it. They do just as much work as the regular teachers, and they are working for free?? And whats worse, is that the SO gets upset when they are not their on time...

They both love their teachers and are afraid to ask for money...

They are both very shy about asking for getting paid, they feel it's awkward talking with the SO because they really don't care for her, because she is very rude.

How should they approach this without making them feel embarrassed??

I'm an SO and I have four assistants, none of them are paid. Assistant teaching is like an intership, they are learning valuable lessons about teaching and are basically training to become dance teachers. Growing up being an assistant teacher was a privledge in my studio, we all wanted the job and no one ever got paid. My assistants receive discounts for their work, a solo in the recital and a free solo costume. If one asked me to be paid I'd probably tell them that they don't have to be an assistant if they don't want to, but I don't pay assistant teachers.

I totally understand the whole assistant teaching thing. I work at a different studio and I too have assistants working with me. But their SO makes them do other things besides assisting dance classes. But %15 is not enough for all the stuff they do. And whats worse is that the SO is making their costumes so expensive. They don't even get a discount on that. Also take note - that my niece and her friend have been taking over a half hour class because sometimes the 'teacher' can't make it, (which happens a lot, sometimes she doesn't feel like coming in), I feel that they should get paid for the class that they teach. No one else teaches that class except them...

If they are teaching then they should be paid...I agree with that.

Even just filling in they should be paid rather than the teacher they are filling in for. It's hard to say how to approach the SO about it. Are they filling in for the SO's classes or a different teacher?

If it's a different teacher then it should be easier to tell her they need a meeting with her and discuss that they are covering for this teacher for free while she's getting paid.
If it's the SO, then she's probably taking advantage of the situation that they will be there. I had an SO back when I was in High School that would do this to me all the time. I had to be there to assist, I had a key and she'd not show up until half way through the class leaving me to teach it. Honestly, I didn't say anything back then, but I was on full scholarship.
These girls are still children (15 and 16), so it wouldn't be a bad place for mom to still step in, in my opinion. Good Luck.

Both me and my sister-in-law feel they are being taken advantaged of. My niece's mom just didn't want to embarrass her nor have the teachers upset with her.
Neither of them are on scholarships. Though they do have a 13 yr old assistant who only helps out on one day for about 2 hrs. And the SO gave her a scholarship, which means she doesn't have to pay for any tuition and costumes.

Thanks for the feedback though

I pay all of my assistants. I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise. I could give them a scholarship, but that's really paying the PARENT. IF they want to use the cash towards their classes or costumes, that's up to them. Mom and Dad aren't doing the work. Now, my assistants aren't getting rich, but they ARE getting paid!

If it were my child, I would go with them to talk to the SO. I would not let my child be taken advantage of, and if tha'ts what you're thinking (and I'm afraid I agree) then I would help them with that. They're almost old enough to hold a paying position elsewhere--even if it's unrelated to dance--, if the SO won't pay them!

When I was an assistant I wasn't paid or given any discounts.

Assistant pay is really up to the SO - some get paid, some don't.

But I firmly believe that if you're TEACHING a class, you should be paid for it.

I have younger girls who show up to help out at class (age 11-13 year olds) They maybe help for 45 minutes as volunteers. They do not get paid becuase it was completly on a volunteer basis as they asked me if they could help.

But, I do have a few 15-17 year olds who assistant teach with me. They get paid $10-15 an hour. I expect them to do a good job, and they do.

Asstiant teacher do not get paid. It's a very cheap college education in my opinion. They are learning things that took me 20 years to learn. I think they have to look at it as a great oportunity and not feel like they are being taken advantage of. I am sure that if the SO knew they felt that way she would find 2 other girls who were willing to learn for for free. It amazes me that these girls don't realize this is education!

Even if she has them doing other things they are learning while they are doing it is simple as that.

Certainly every assist teaching situation is different in how they are compensated. However, all are learning things and should see the value in that. Their basic technique is being reinforced (as they are hearing these things again) and they are learning how to be teachers. One could even say that they are gaining volunteer experience (great for college application and resumes) and learning to work with children. This is a good community service activity. Plus, it's another way to keep teens out of trouble, as they are doing something productive and are viewed as role models.

It should be made clear at the beginning what their expected duties are and what the compensation is. If these gals are interested in making money, then their time may be better spent at a part time job, because this is not what the SO is offering in the situation. However, I am not convinced that these teens expected to be teaching the classes!!! Certainly, there are times when I turn to an assist (the school I work for does not pay them) and may ask them to do something with the students. However, I could never imagine coming in late or asking my assistants to teach my classes. In a case where they are actually subbing, I do feel that they should be paid.

If I was the parent and/or teen in this situation, I would approach the SO for a re-explanation of my expectations. Obviously there is a misunderstanding of what "assisting" means. They did not agree to teaching the classes for nothing!

I really do disagree. Even in the 'old days' an apprentice at least got room and board! Just because someone else will do it cheaper, or free, doesn't make it right! Isn't that why our factory jobs are being farmed out to other countries? I know I'm probably offending a lot of people here, and I really try always, to see the two sides of everything, but free labor isn't, in my opinion, fair, just because the age of the child is lower. They are freely giving their time. Yes, the child thinks it's fun, and is just happy to help, but is that any reason to take advantage of them?

daninqueen wrote:

Asstiant teacher do not get paid. It's a very cheap college education in my opinion. They are learning things that took me 20 years to learn. I think they have to look at it as a great oportunity and not feel like they are being taken advantage of. I am sure that if the SO knew they felt that way she would find 2 other girls who were willing to learn for for free. It amazes me that these girls don't realize this is education!

Even if she has them doing other things they are learning while they are doing it is simple as that.

YES! YES! YES! I 100% AGREE!

I am an assistant, and do not get payed or dicounts or anything... And for the most part this doesn't bother because it is educating me towards being a teacher. But they do have me sub for the teachers when they are sick or what ever... And I do feel I should get payed for these classes. If I am there alone, I am not watching and learning, I am teaching. I am scared also to bring this up.

I think the ones that get 15% or costumes are lucky!! I don't feel angry about not being payed. I know it is going to lead to me teaching my own class!

I hope you guys can get it all worked out!! And just remember there is a bigger picture in the end! All your assisting will pay off!

I do not pay my assistants but if they sub for a teacher & lead the class alone, I do. I also feel like it is a learning experience. Not to mention, I usually use them as demostrators so they are taking a class for free. Most of my students use their time assisting as community service hours as well...so technically, they can't get paid for it.

What other things are expected of your niece?

Normally, My niece will help out the teachers, making sure the children are were they should be, help them change shoes, and take them to the bathroom when needed (thats whats she expects to do, as do I). But, the SO, is also having her and the other girl Clean the Mirrors, Handle the front desk when there is no one in charged there, and the SO tells them 3 - 4 days before hand that they will need to come in on the weekends for staff stuff! (they are assistants). They are not getting paid and they have to put the teen-lives on hold. Which I could never do to my assistants unless I absolutely needed them and/or if they were on the pay roll!

Well then they should simply tell her "No". Show up to assist but not the rest. It's not their job and if she has a problem with it then if I was their mother I would discuss it with this SO. As I said before they're still children, so it's not wrong for their mothers to speak up about it. There are child labor laws.

Thanks for everyones thoughts and advice!
I have talked to my niece about what everyone suggested and/or said! And have convinced her to talk with the other girl and have them both talk with the teacher they are most comfortable with!
I'll update you on how things go.

I can see the whole 'not having assistant teachers paid' from both sides. When I was an asistant teacher, I did not get paid. However that being said, I worked 2 hours per week, I did not have to run clases (other than a warm-up upon occasion), and actually DID learn a lot, as I was helping with an acro class I was taught how to spot skills, etc.

but working 10 hours per week for nothing? that is NOT fair at all! and as for the jobs they are doing -I don't see how their dancing will benefit from learning how to clean a mirror!

keep us updated and I hope things work out

DTeacher wrote:

My assistants receive discounts for their work, a solo in the recital and a free solo costume.

1. What do you mean assistants receive discounts for their work?
2. Are private lessons for their solo routine free?

Only looking for some clarification. Thanks!

Your niece needs to talk to her SO and find out exactly what her responsibilities are. I have an assistant in one of my classes as well as have assistants assisting other classes. My assistant does a lot of demostrating. Once in a while she will do part of the warm up if I have to step out of the classroom but that is rare. I do expect her to be on time because it is a responsibility to be an assistant. If she is going to be late or miss, she tells me ahead of time and that's expected of her. My students are older so they don't need help changing shoes or going to the bathroom. In the younger classes, help in those areas is also something the assistants do.

I will also sometimes have my assistants explain an exercise so I can give them feedback on how to improve thier teaching skills. I am in the room still though.

Requiring your niece to come in for staff stuff seems a bit like taking advantage. It's one thing to ask someone for help & they volunteer but another to require it of them.

When I did my school teaching practicum/apprenticeship, I PAID thousands of dollars a year to teach for free. I wasn't ready to teach on my own.

That said, if a student teacher is teaching by themselves, they should be paid whatever the startup teacher pay is. They should not be paid for classes where another teacher is present.

We had an assistant teacher contract that the kids and their parents signed. It outlined when they would assist and what their duties were.

I was already teaching at at studio when I began my college student teaching for a local high school. Although the experience was great and I learned a ton, I was teaching for free! When you do student teaching the teacher is there, but you are the teacher in charge, they are there to back you and help you. What made matters worse was I had to pay college tuition for the course hours and received no compensation for all the work. It was very frustrating when you are used to getting paid $$ per hour.

What I'm getting at is apprentice/teacher helpers are in the same situation, but at least they don't have to pay tuition to assist the class and not get paid. When I was growing up becomming the teachers assistant was the ultimate goal. You didn't get paid unless she turned the class over to you and it still wasn't much. Our current assistants receive minimum wage for our area and up to $10 (pending experience). Once they graduate and stay to continue teaching they get a raise. Only after they graduate college (in most cases) do they receive $20 per hour or more. There are some rare exceptions, but this is usually how it works for us. We also limit "assistant teaching" to that only. No studio chores or business work, this is not their job. If doesn't hurt them to see the "behind the scenes" if this is what the want to do later in life, but they still need to be kids whille they can. I hope everything works out!

It can be so frustrating when an SO has not clearly stated what is expected from an assistant. While I'm glad your niece is trying to clear things up, I agree that mom & daughter need to have a meeting with the SO.

FYI none of my assistants teach classes on their own, and none are paid. However, I don't have them attend staff meetings, or clean the studio either! I do however hire them to run birthday parties and for that they are paid.

I'm sure things will work out.

We have a 2 day assistant teacher training program. It spells out exactly everything that is required of them They know up front what is expected of them and what we in turn will provide. The bottome line is if they are not in agreement with what our program has to offer then they do not have to participate.

I think ultimately your niece and her mother need to either look again at any paperwork they were given on this program OR speak to the SO and get an idea of what exactly she expects of them. Keeping in all of this hostility is not good for anyone.

We all have a choice in our lives and if she and her friend don't feel that the arrangement suits them they next year they have the options to opt out of it.