Well everyone I need a little help deciding my next life change! I have been teaching at the same studio for 15 years. Its been nice but I am starting to find myself fusterated alot. Mostly with decisions, costuming, studio rules, and stuff like that. I feel like I do so much and dont get paid for everything I do. I feel like some of my great ideas she never uses and I really think they are great. She seems like money is everything. And I believe her passion is gone, and I feel because of that I might be loosing my passion. Well any way my question is should I go do it alone open up my own dance school? I feel I might not be good enough or what if I dont make enough to feed my children? Is it really alot of money to open a studio? Will I make any money if I open a studio?

Ummmmm...Im not in the same situation...anymore!! I was at a studio where I was miserable...and it made me almost hate teaching and consider a new profession...which made me incredibly depressed...
I tried to talk with her...but eventually I just left.
I know where I live there is literally a dance studio on every corner...I put out my resume and I actually had a choice of studios. Luckily I LOVE where I am now...

For me at this point in my life I know although it would be awesome to own a studio...Im not ready. One of my previous SO's told me to have credit cards...or hit the lottery.
Im not sure of where you live but I also know that the market around me is to saturated...and Id move somewhere else...

Good luck with whatever you choose...

Could you possibly go to a different studio?
Opening your own studio will take up A LOT of your time and money. And you probably wont make anything for a while.

I would look into teaching elsewhere for now

Same situation, and no matter what I did the SO was never happy. So I quit, took a year off, and then realized how much I missed teaching and dancing, but being in that miserable situation drained me and took away the fun I use to have. So I sent out my resume and started over again and I am so much happier!! Now I'm working at a place I am happy to be. I would of loved to open my own studio, but I am broke, and not sure if I'm ready to take that leap right away. Don't ever let anyone take away your passion for teaching and dance. They aren't worth it. Good luck with what you decide

I've never been in this situation, but, my piece of advice: do what your heart tells you is right. Make yourself happy. If it's meant to work out, you will be provided with plenty. It may be hard in the beginning, because opening a business takes alot of time, energy and money, but if it's YOUR love, it will pay off. Good luck, and keep us updated!

My immediate reaction to your dilemna is not to open your own dance studio - it could be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. I say this because your SO sounds like she's struggling after 15 years: she worries about money, and can't afford to pay you for extra things you do.

Unless her bad decisions have been driving her own students away (for a variety of reasons) you may be in a competitive area, saturated with dance schools. It would be wise for you to try to find another dance school to teach at, and this might also give you more perspective before opening up your own.

I definitely would say look into teaching at another studio, maybe look into becoming a judge or guest teacher you have options. Obviously you have been committed 15 years is a long time teaching at a studio that you don't own.

I just think if you get into a new situation things will become brighter for you.

From when I taught, and when I took I found that there is a BIG difference between teaching at a studio, versus running one of your own.

I feel it takes quite a bit to be a studio owner; I take my hat off to those people who can run a studio, and who can organize themselves well enough to stay on top of the running of the studio, the direct costs/the indirect costs, the amount of wo/man hours required to run it, etc.


What would happen if you drew up a list:

-- pros and cons for staying at present studio;
-- pros and cons for leaving present studio.

Also, see if there are other studios around in the area where you want to work, and if they are looking for people in your skill area.


Just a shot in the dark, do you think that some of the current frustrations could be assuaged/placated by just speaking to the studio owners?


Good luck!

yeah, I certainly agree: BIG question!




Shadow.

I am a SO and love, don't really make any money, not like I would if I was teaching. You need to ask yourself if you want to teach or run your own school they are so different. I love running my own school bc
I love...
being a business owner
Developing advertising plans
actually enjoy things like payroll
developing curriculum
managing teachers and staff
producing recitals

Don't really love but have to
Pay bills before me
clean daily
pick up the slack of my teacher and staff
deal with problem parents

and there are things I hate having to do

and after all that and more I teach

Opening your own school is great but you can no longer think of your self as a "Teacher" you are then a "Business Owner" who may still teach.

I am not saying don't do it, but they way I read your post I think you love teaching and could just find a new school who would treat you the way you want to be treated and be happy

My teachers don't complain about their salary but that might be because I'm open about it: "You all deserve more, but I just can't pay that."
A lot of entrepeneurs earn less than their staff. It's simple, first all the bills and salaries have to be paid, and the left overs are for the owner.

As your SO is struggling with the money, lost her passion for dance/teaching, well, when money is THAT important, it is because it isn't there. If she would earn plenty of money, it wouldn't be an issue. She probably feels the same like you: "I do so much and don't get paid for everything I do.

How about inviting her for coffee, and have a friendly informal talk about the studio. Tell her how you see that her passion has changed, that you are afraid that will happen to you too, that you think money has become to much of an issue, that you would like to change the atmosphere in the studio, that you want to help her.
Come with some ideas, just as a start for a brainstorm with her. Ask her not to say 'yes' or 'no' to any of the ideas, but to feel inspired for a different way of thinking.

Don't expect her to be enthousiastic about your plans immediately. She probably needs some time to change her feelings and look at the studio.
Keep in touch with her, be positive and supportive, and when it takes too long, THEN you could suggest something like: "I hope my ideas really inspire you, because if you don't see what I do for this studio, this might not be the best place for me anymore."
Maybe she doesn't do exactly your plans, but if she starts with changes, you should appreciate that.



Personally: I would love one of my teachers to do something like that. After 16 years of being an SO and trying very enthousiastically a lot of ideas, but failing about all of them, I lost my passion too. I feel like I'm the only one pulling the wagon, and I'm tired of it.
My teachers (not a bad word about them!) just come in, teach their classes and leave. I have suggested that they would take over some parts of my work, to give them more responsibilities and joy in work and new challenges, but they refused.
Believe me, being an SO can be a very lonely job.

If you are not ready to open your own school and do not have the resources to do so and feed your family, then leave the job and find another.

I could not work where I was in the same situation as you.

I was in a studio where, even though I was an assistant and receiving no pay,I did it for the love of teaching. Situations changed and the atmosphere towards me changed (a lot of stuff happened and got nasty. I suck it out one year because the girls in the ballet class asked me reluctantly if I was leaving. After they left, so did I. Now, that dark cloud is lifted and I really love to teach.
Talk to the SO as Lidwina said. Maybe there is just miscommunication. She could be misreading you and you could be misreading her. Part of my problem was miscommunication that could not be fixed. Hope this helps...