Why did you leave your teacher?

[pygmalion]

We all know that building a relationship with a teacher is a big investment of time, trust, emotion, and money. Yes, from time to time, each of us feels the need to move on to newer or greener pastures. Question: In the past, what has made you decide to part ways with teacher(s)?

[tango]

To date I haven't left a teacher but I'm thinking about it. In many other threads it's clear that franchise studio's have their positivs and negatives. In this case the whole studio feels 'fake' and once you understand the whole scripted sales routine it takes the shine off. Recently they have started a full-on sales pitch to get us to compete, everytime we dance they keep selling, every instructor brings it up and it has changed from what we clearly stated: "we might compete, but we'll talk after the wedding" to them telling everyone we are going (other instructors and clients)! I assume this is to make you feel commited to going and by saying "no" you'd let everyone down. That's not going to work on me, but unfortunately they are risking losing use as regular clients in an effort to upsell us on this competition! The sales pitch is really becoming annoying and it would be nice to just dance. It's like our dance instructor(s) have turned into "car sales-people".

[Vince A]

After years with the most recent instuctor/Pro, I've decided to move on to another . . . the reason:
Back in May of this year, I decided to get back into competition, and arranged a schedule for the rest of the year . . . privates and schedules of, competitions, and subsequently World's competition this coming January.

Now mind you that I have to fit in martial arts and soccer for the 12 year old, my own running and chores around the house, my hobbies, and oh, work! Nothing is to be scheduled for Sundays . . . that is time for church activites, family, and baseball or football - in that order!

So, two months into this schedule, she decided to change days on me I won't say why, but it was trivial), I just couldn't make those times because everything else was so co-dependant on the other schedules. Competing for the remainder fo the year was out for me. I could make any practices.

I was already having a difficult getting back in the saddle from taking an a**-whipping at World's this past January, so I didn't need an another excuse to just give up!

I did!

But because of some friends on this site and some other Dance-Forum members, I've decided to give it another go. It's in my blood. I've contacted another Pro, and may only do Swing events - WCS, Hustle, NC2S. And if I ever learn Lindy, will add that.

That's my story, an I'm sticking to it!

[Adwiz]

Recently we decided to try a different teacher because we wanted someone very young who could help us develop more energetic and current styling in competition than we were getting from our excellent but older teacher.

It's been a great experience. The new teacher, who is only in his early 20's, seems to be much more competition oriented and has considerably improved our technique. Most importantly our styling quite substantially in just the past four weeks (we schedule one private per week because that's all we can afford).

We haven't abandoned our previous teacher and still take group lessons and attend parties at that studio, but I think she has sensed what's happening because she watches us on the floor (and of course we haven't scheduled any lessons with her for some time).

What I've noticed about having a younger teacher is that there's a no-nonsense atmosphere. He doesn't let stuff go that older teachers tend to feel can be ignored for now. Perhaps older teachers, from their experience, ignore stuff because they think you can't handle too much information, but personally I've found "too much information" to be very good and has really improved my form.

[pygmalion]

I've always taken a very proactive approach to my dance lessons and shared that information with my dance teachers. I have planned several months in advance what I want to learn and what goals I want to reach, and I share that with my teachers in a written format. So, when it was time for me to leave my former studio, it was actually pretty easy. We'd reached the end of my goals sheet, so we ended there. The whole scenario would have been much more difficult if I'd taken them by surprise.

[elisedance]

I thought a general thread on this was necessary - we've had a few for specific reasons but I'm interested in when did/do you change your pro and why?

My first pro (2001-2005) was a darling man he knew every dance I could imagine let alone try to dance and loved to take holidays in south america and cuba to find new dances and variants. Unfortunately, as I got the point of competing he was about 6 inches shorter and the body contortions required for standard were just too much.

I then tried a couple of different pros for fit - and was introduced to C (in the photo area), a much taller, very tallented young man who had gone pro in part to put himself through college. As a competing pro (with his lovely partner D) he pushed me hard (its my theory that if you train with an activey competing pro they will push you to try to make you dance like thier partner) and we gradually worked our way up the syllabus levels. C is wonderful to work and dance with and we passed a lot of milestones together - first schollarship win, first trip to OSB and now our first listing as a champion (not a large field at all but at least a full final).

So a week ago I decided it was time for a change. Why? Frankly, I'm not entirely sure! I just felt that I needed a new perspective and challenge. I get the feeling - as WG commented on another thread (and stimulated me to think about this one) that we seems to have become so comfortable dancing together that we adjusted to things that needed changing. Minor factors were that I wanted to dance with an even taller pro and I missed the 'actively competing' syndrome described above. Telling him about the change was not easy for either of us - I was his first pro am (but now he has lots). Typically, the class act he is, he took it gamely, not only wishing me well but even encouraging me - and he told me I would be back (which I am sure is right).

I've had two lessons thus far - amazing experiences with precisely the new perspective I sought - and now A&A (pro and partner) are away at a competition (some of you will have seen them dance this past weekend). So it occurred to me that I can have my cake and eat it too - by continuing to take occasional lessons with C when A is away. I think he will be cool with that - like I said, a class act.

I'm not sure I've done the right thing - but I think I have and, if you will bear with me, I will comment here occasionally to share the outcome.

[elisedance]

I just noticed - that is, of course, previous pro on my avatar... I suppose I should update ;)

[etp777]

Yeah, find a new picture so I don't confuse yorus with mine. ;) Will be paging through threads and see your picture, but not the nicka, nd wonder why I don't remember posting message I read. :)

Anyway, can definitely be good reasons to switch pros, whether voluntary or not. Saw woman I know compete this weekend who swithced pros a few months ago, and the change has been amazing.

Course, danced several times with my old pro, and had a great time, and definitely reminded me that I missed dancing/working with her. :P

[elisedance]

There, done, etp. Confusion cured - unless you resemble the charmer in my arm s ;)
(curious: the avatar size exceeded the limit described on the upload page... )

[etp777]

Nah, I'm much shorter. Course, I'm also noticably younger I suspect. ;)

[elisedance]

cuter too I'm sure (hehehh - hope DP isn't reading)..

[fascination]

I danced from january of of 2005 -june of 2008 with my former pro

He was, to my mind, the most talented teacher in northwest indiana...he was emphatic on teaching me good dance position that never compromised whatever I was doing, and good balance, as well as emphasizing movement as best as he could. I also think he was a master at arm-styling without even trying ;)...he taught me everything he knew and we grew together...alot...in spite of considerable changes to our dancing, our dance environment, our personal lives, our very different personalities, and very ambitious goals which neither of us had any experience with embarking upon...sadly, our relationship was the casualty, but my respect for who he is at his core and the principles that he adheres to WRT to dancing remain intact...

I began dancing with my current pro in july of 2008...what I have learned and where it has taken my dancing since then has been, well...astonishing...and motivating... and enlightening...and consoling

[2totango]

Good for you, elise! I hope it wasn't as difficult as you were originally thinking and I wish you the very best with your new pro.

[cornutt]

Hmm... most of the preceding comments have been from people who compete at a high level. Here's another perspective. I will probably never compete at Championship level; of course, I want to keep getting better, but I don't have the time to do the training it would take to dance at Champ level. And so I have to be realistic about my goals, at least for now.

On that note: the only reason I would ever leave my current pro would be if she left the area or quit teaching. But I am aware of the accommodating-each-other's-bad-technique phenomonen. And also, there are times when you hit a mental roadblock with not being able to understand something your pro is trying to get across with you, and you need another perspective. I combat that by taking a percentage of my lessons with a mix of other instructors and coaches.

For the past year I've actually been taking about half of my lessons with another female pro at the same studio, but she recently moved away. So I'm in a bit of a replanning mode. There is a third female pro at the studio who is very skilled at Latin. I think what I'm going to do is do some Latin lessons with her, and then go to the senior male pro for a few smooth lessons. It's been a while since I've had a lesson with a male pro anyway, so it would be good to get some of that perspective.

[Chiron]

Here is a random analogy for you...

In academia it is frowned upon to get you Ph.D. from the school you did you bachleor's at. If you do a post-doc it is encourage you go to a third institution. I half no qualms talking to past professors at my undergrad if it is in their area of expertise. I also plan on maintaining my contacts once I leave grad school. A different perspective is a good thing, however in academia we also have the perception that our time spent with a given teacher is limited.

[fascination]

good analogy...except the payment isn't that direct...which can complicate things ;)

[Standarddancer]

I left a teacher because he's been yelling at me for money issues at numerous occasions (including before comps) and made me feel extremely uncomfortable; We now take lessons from his competitors; We are not the only couple left, most of our friends and other good standard couples who had been taking lessons from him for a long time left him for same or similar reasons, back in 2003, 2004, he had many many couples, including pro couples, top amateur, youth and junior couples, but now he's got only 2 youth couples and a few kids couples, all am couples left him for other teachers.

Last year right before we left him he invited his coaches from England and quoted a price higher than his competitors, he pushed us and other few couples to take lessons from that master on Sunday, we know another teacher books the same English master with a much reasonable price, plus Sunday morning isn't really a great time for us because we had to go to a comp Sat night and return to NY Sunday morning, so not good suffering tiredness on road while taking expensive lessons from coaches.

We decided to cancel Sunday lessons and focus on the comp; While I notified him Wednesday for Sunday lessons cancellation, he freaked out, he texted me nasty words such as "forgot about bloody stupid college comp, come to take lessons..." and he even used "F" words in text (won't repeat here) I told him we paid and registered for comp already, and all travel arrangements made, he kept pushing us to scratch and got really nasty over text messages, finally he sent me ultimatum that we have to find couples to replace our lessons slots Sunday morning or we have to pay cash for the lessons that we won't be able to take.

I tried really hard to find couples, finally I found a couple who's willing to switch their coach lessons from Saturday to Sunday our slots. I thought I'm done, the teacher should be happy, but he said that's not good enough, I just "moved" his couple, now I have to find another couples to fill Saturday that couples' empty slots:(

I was furious, I was already nervous before comp and instead of encouraging us and make us dance better, that teacher threatening us with money issues and push us to scratch a comp which we've paid and made travel arrangements for. So I told him that we could not afford paying for lessons we were not able to take, we've gave enough notification and advanced cancellation time, we would not pay and we couldn't attend the lessons he was pushing us to take. If he still has issues about it, we had no choice but to leave him.

So that's the last straw crashed camel. We booked lessons from his competitors before the comp for the same wonderful world class master!!!! And went to comp against his will.

I don't regret my decision, this is not the only time he yelled at me, he yelled at me at other occasions for such money related issues and each time it was for his own benefits.

DP also saw him yelling at our friends before their lessons because he didn't start their lessons on time, and she politely asked him, "when do you think we could start"? The he started to yell at her, accused her "interrupting him"; he made her so nervous and trembling with fear in her entire lesson; although we didn't get yelled, but DP felt uncomfortable, and he already thought about leaving him.

We are one of the last couples left him, as soon as we left him, our other friends who left him long times ago supported our decision and cheered for us;)

The other day I told this to a judge, and that judge told me I was doing the right thing; She said she knows this teacher for a long time, and he always pushes his couples to enter the comps they don't wish to enter or push couples to scratch the comps which he does not want to support. Everything he does is just for himself, very little benefit for the couples.

Funny thing though now he stopped talking to us, but still sends his secretary to push us to book lessons with the coaches he invites, now he won't come to push lessons himself, but sends her to push each time they see us:( reallly annoying. She follows us to practice and even to change rooms:( lol...

[and123]

:shock: Wow. Speechless.

[etp777]

Indeed. Well, not speechless, but nothing I can say on DF. :)

[elisedance]

Hmm... most of the preceding comments have been from people who compete at a high level. Here's another perspective. I will probably never compete at Championship level; of course, I want to keep getting better, but I don't have the time to do the training it would take to dance at Champ level.

to my mind, and no doubt a lot of us DFers, you compete at championship and above.... I mean where the grading really counts ;)

[elisedance]

Indeed. Well, not speechless, but nothing I can say on DF. :)

:rocker:

[fascination]

Hmm... most of the preceding comments have been from people who compete at a high level. Here's another perspective. I will probably never compete at Championship level; of course, I want to keep getting better, but I don't have the time to do the training it would take to dance at Champ level. And so I have to be realistic about my goals, at least for now.

On that note: the only reason I would ever leave my current pro would be if she left the area or quit teaching. But I am aware of the accommodating-each-other's-bad-technique phenomonen. And also, there are times when you hit a mental roadblock with not being able to understand something your pro is trying to get across with you, and you need another perspective. I combat that by taking a percentage of my lessons with a mix of other instructors and coaches.

For the past year I've actually been taking about half of my lessons with another female pro at the same studio, but she recently moved away. So I'm in a bit of a replanning mode. There is a third female pro at the studio who is very skilled at Latin. I think what I'm going to do is do some Latin lessons with her, and then go to the senior male pro for a few smooth lessons. It's been a while since I've had a lesson with a male pro anyway, so it would be good to get some of that perspective.
cornutt, i don't see myself in that category either as i don't even dance open yet...but I wonder if it makes any real difference...I mean isn't it really a matter of whether or not you are still in a situation where you can improve?...I wonder...possible new thread there

[fascination]

Indeed. Well, not speechless, but nothing I can say on DF. :):notworth:as always, thanks for your cooperation

[fascination]

standard dancer...I am so sorry

[dancepro]

I agree standarddancer, you did the right thing in leaving that coach. There should be a respectful communication between couple and coach to what competitions to be danced and what coaches to take lessons with. Shouting, screaming and swear words just have no place before, during or after dance lessons. I am sorry you experienced that and I hope you will never allow anybody else to treat you like that again.

All the best to you

Dancepro

[samina]

dear me, standarddancer... that is quite the story. sounds to me like you made a good decision to leave. wishing you a happier time under new management!

[QPO]

I left a coach because of poor intstrcution....the rest of the group were happy with what was on offer but I was looking for more. they were very dissapointment, but it bigger than them and have to look me and DP it is about growing. If that means moving so be it. I would do it again if necessary, We currently have two coaches...

[Wolfgang]

I don't have anything near as dramatic to report as Standarddancer, but I left my studio/original teacher because the sales pitch got a little too shrill and the policy towards enrolled students attending practices and classes changed quite drastically.
The thing is, I realize the studio makes the bulk of their money from 'introductory' packages for newcomers - can't be any other way, there simply aren't enough enrolled regulars to foot the bill - so I don't quite understand why it would bother them if a handful of the aforementioned enrolled regulars would attend the classes that would be held anyway.
But, apparently, it does.

[standardgirl]

I left my first teacher b/c I moved for school - simply no other choice. Left my second teacher due to some private issues, and in fact, I left with another lady who's been with this teacher for over 10 years! Had a third teacher who is very knowledgeable, but probably not the best pro to competing pro/am with. I was looking elsewhere, but I also knew that it wouldn't be too long before I had to move for work. At the end, I stayed with him until I had to move to a different city for work. Danced with the fourth teacher for 2 years and had a bless! He's fun, energetic, knowledgeable, and the studio is absolutely wonderful! I enjoyed every moment spent at the studio and with the other students. Everyone was so supportive at competitions and other events! (btw, this was actually a chain studio! ;)) The pro was at the very top during his competitive days and we had good results competing pro/am. Unfortunately, I had to move *AGAIN* (temporarily this time though) for work and had to stop. Coming back to town again now, I decided to try out a different pro simply b/c of the dance style. I really want to dance standard and even after dancing smooth with a top pro for the past 2 years, my heart still falls for standard. Not really any reason with the pro, it's just simply all me to make this switch. Dancing with this new pro now, and enjoying it (other than the long drive -> 2 hrs!).

so, for me, changing teachers mostly due to moving......other than that, there have also been a couple of instances where after a few lessons, I decided not to continue with a pro simply b/c of the teaching style - I was having a hard time understanding what the teacher wanted me to do...

oh....and there was also a short period of time (like 1/2 a year) that I danced with a pro doing latin and rhythm (parallel with my standard/smooth dance history). I had to leave this person b/c of money issues. It wasn't as bad as what standarddancer described (on a side note, I think I know who this man is...), but still, he constantly pushed me to buy for more lessons or to buy another package before I used up the current one. Even though these pkgs are not as big (10 lesson pkg), but it still bothered me. This was an independent teacher to your surprise! And what bothered me even more was that there were several occasions where he called like 30min to 1 hr prior to a lesson and canceled while he knew that I had a 1.25 hr drive to the studio! I mean, if it was an emergency, it's fine, but given the relatively high frequency, I doubt it. Oh, that also marked the stop of my latin/rhythm days which I do not regret at all. I haven't seen this teacher for 4 years and haven't even seen his name at any comps with any other students (he had quite a few when I was still dancing there). I am not sure what he's up to these days, or simply most students have quit.

[ahem]

he invited his coaches from England and quoted a price higher than his competitors, he pushed us and other few couples to take lessons from that master on Sunday, we know another teacher books the same English master with a much reasonable price, plus Sunday morning isn't really a great time for us because we had to go to a comp Sat night and return to NY Sunday morning, so not good suffering tiredness on road while taking expensive lessons from coaches.

The student's view of the situation makes sense.

We decided to cancel Sunday lessons and focus on the compOops, that's going to be difficult for the hosting teacher. The guest still needs to be paid.

While I notified him Wednesday for Sunday lessons cancellation, he freaked outNot surprising - who wouldn't when suddenly having to cover a few hundred dollars shortfall?

he texted me nasty words such as "forgot about bloody stupid college comp, come to take lessons..." and he even used "F" words in text (won't repeat here)Unfortunate and counterproductive behavior.

finally he sent me ultimatum that we have to find couples to replace our lessons slots Sunday morning or we have to pay cash for the lessons that we won't be able to take. If you had originally booked the lessons (as you seem to imply you had) that actually doesn't sound entirely unreasonable. It was the emotional outburst that was unreasonable.

I found a couple who's willing to switch their coach lessons from Saturday to Sunday our slots. I thought I'm done, the teacher should be happy, but he said that's not good enough, I just "moved" his couple, now I have to find another couples to fill Saturday that couples' empty slotsTrue, all you did was move the empty slots to Saturday. That might make them easier to fill, but it doesn't actually fill them.

It sounds like you may have had other issues with this coach, and that may complicate your feelings about this incident. But the story, as you've described it, really does have two legitimate viewpoints and it's somewhat unfortunate that there's been no recognition in the responses posted to your complaint that the teacher also had reason to feel wronged.

[etp777]

Welcome Ahem

And while I certainly support a reasonable cancellation policy, I don't support swwearing at the student about a cancellation. I'd walk out the door right then.

[Indiana_Jay]

Danced with the fourth teacher for 2 years and had a bless! He's fun, energetic, knowledgeable, and the studio is absolutely wonderful! I enjoyed every moment spent at the studio and with the other students. Everyone was so supportive at competitions and other events! (btw, this was actually a chain studio! ;))

This is the same apparently atypical franchise location about which I've written in other posts. LW and I are/were similarly impressed (although we're not attending at the moment due primarily to other financial priorities).

[NonieS]

I've been through a few coaches... never had a horrible experience like standarddancer (that is just awful.. i cannot imagine being cursed out by a coach)... whenever I *felt* that it was time to move on, that I wasn't getting anything out of the coach, I moved on.. no drama... luckily, I am on good terms with all my ex-coaches :) Maybe because I've been fortunate enough to never have any really bad experiences..

[waltzguy]

I left a teacher years ago due to her incompetence. She had no real understanding of the material, and made mistakes. Mistakes that were verified to be mistakes indeed.

Left another teacher years ago due to his brashness and unfairness between the way he treated students.

[Standarddancer]

It sounds like you may have had other issues with this coach, and that may complicate your feelings about this incident. But the story, as you've described it, really does have two legitimate viewpoints and it's somewhat unfortunate that there's been no recognition in the responses posted to your complaint that the teacher also had reason to feel wronged.

first of all, welcome to board, ahem! yes there are other issues with this teacher, read my post carefully, its "last straw crashed camel", there are other occasions he yelled at me without good reason. Such as last blackpool, he found us a flat promised xyz amount, but after we moved in, he said xyz amount + 50 pounds!!!! And he yelled at me when I questioned him what the extra 50 pounds was for...another time his secretary made mistake on our coaching lessons, she told us lessons 11am Saturday morning, so we got there on time, waited until 11:10, noticed the coaches didn't seem to be ready to teach, they were drinking tea, and chatting. Since this is a new coach couple, I thought they maybe didn't know we are the couple for their lessons, so we walked straight to the coaches, introduced ourselves, and politelly asked them, "by the way, do you know our lessons 11?" The coaches appeared to be surprised, "really? sorry, we have not yet been notified, but we can start now..." then this teacher heard me talking to coaches, he stopped whatever he was doing, started screaming at me, "your lesson 11:45, go check schedule." I answered him, "but so and so (his assistant) told me our lessons 11". He then shout, "I don't care she sents you a picture of lesson schedule, I tell you go check the bloody lesson schedule..." Then he told the coaches, "take your tea, never mind her, let her wait...they can wait".

DP was really upset, he had work early afternoon, and as a result of delayed, screwed up schedule (not the first time he and his assistant screw up schedule), poor DP couldn't even eat lunch; besides that, this teacher put us in bad mood before our expensive coaching lessons, which is totally unacceptable. Thank god, we are not dealing with that anymore.

Funny though, he doesn't shout at newer students, just maybe cos I've known him so long, so he took me for granted, he's much nicer to new students than someone like me used to be royal and supportive to him, well, not anymore; I certainly won't be rude to him, but definitely don't deal with him for money.

[dancingirldancing]

Standarddancer, your teacher sounds so horrible.

I cant imagine what my DP will say if we got that one. He wasn't shy to say the least !

We would have stormed out long time ago.

What a rude b.....

One of the teacher I left because of money too.

He has one of those horrible payment plan.

I kept on stalling him and then when I use up my paid lesson I took off.

His method was double booking me and then as I rock up tell me this and refer me to a unbooked unqualified female instructor or do this halfway through a lesson so he can teach this poor lady who booked a gazzilion lesson from him a week.

This way he could 'book' a lesson for this female instructor who otherwise will have no student during the hour.

This happens constantly despite me telling him that I only want to take lesson from him.

He also pressurize me to take 3 lesson a week which I dont mind now as I take about that many any way but then my income was much lower and I just want to take 1 lesson a week.

But because kept on double booking me then refers me to whoever not teaching at that moment there is really not much improvement. Whoever available during that time just take me through my steps etc as they have no idea where he left off.

I think that is deceit as when I sign up I specifically tell him that I only want to join in IF he is available.

[dancingirldancing]

Welcome Ahem

And while I certainly support a reasonable cancellation policy, I don't support swwearing at the student about a cancellation. I'd walk out the door right then.


Agreed. I am more willing to pay if someone does not cussed at me !

[emeralddancer]

I recognize that a teacher may feel wronged or even be wronged AHEM and Larinda .... but I am sorry teachers are not Gods or are they the do all end alls that some of them think they are. There are to many unscrupulous teachers out there that do not give a flying rats behind about their students.

Now on the other hand there are equally just as many "bad" students as well that try to take advantage of teachers, fellow students and studios too and all around just rotten apples with nothing but negativity.

Then there are the teachers and students that are good and have good working relationships and make the dancing community much much stronger for it.

But I feel that this thread has gotten so off topic a wee bit ... originally back in what 2003 the OP pygmalion asked WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR TEACHER? then more recently Elisedance asked WHEN DID/DO YOU CHANGE YOUR PRO AND WHY?

How is discussing the "wronged" teachers even apart of this topic? Maybe a good one for another thread? (my opinion of course) Or am I just lost as usual?

So far as I see people leave pros/teachers/coaches for a myriad of reasons ie:
-loss of income
-move out of area
-teacher not really interested in students goals or what student has to say
-pressure to buy more/do things one does not want
-personality conflicts
-personal issues
-teacher leaves studio/area
-verbally abusive teachers
-teachers that really just don't care

I am sure the list could go on

[sknerr]

So far as I see people leave pros/teachers/coaches for a myriad of reasons ie:
-loss of income
-move out of area
-teacher not really interested in students goals or what student has to say
-pressure to buy more/do things one does not want
-personality conflicts
-personal issues
-teacher leaves studio/area
-verbally abusive teachers
-teachers that really just don't care

I am sure the list could go on

I would add style differences and scheduling conflicts to the list.

Personally I try to find as many different teachers as possible since I can get new perspectives and new ways of approaching dancing. I don't know how other dance forms are but in swing dance I find this opinion is somewhat common.

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Discussion of lesson cancellation has been moved here: How to Handle Cancellations (http://danceforums.com/showthread.php?p=677493) :)

[Terpsichorean Clod]

I changed (amicably) pros about halfway into my second year of dancing. The timing worked well with things going on in the first pro's life as well as in mine, as I was beginning to focus on another style.

[Standarddancer]

So far as I see people leave pros/teachers/coaches for a myriad of reasons ie:
-loss of income
-move out of area
-teacher not really interested in students goals or what student has to say
-pressure to buy more/do things one does not want
-personality conflicts
-personal issues
-teacher leaves studio/area
-verbally abusive teachers
-teachers that really just don't care

I am sure the list could go on

Also want to say that if a teacher constantly late or cancel students, students will get the messages that the teacher isn't interested in teaching them. They'll eventually take their business elsewhere.

Another instance could be if a student is interested in seaching for am partnership, and the teacher she's working with is mainly doing pro-am, but doesn't know any single am guys to help the girl searching for partner, the am girl will be more likely to seek other teachers who could be helpful in finding a partner.

[waltzgirl]

I think we're leaving out the issue that prompted elise to post: feeling the need for a different kind of instruction, to get a new perspective on one's dancing.

IMO, that's actually a more difficult situation than leaving because of a bad situation. At least it has been for me. I have felt that recently, but would not have left my long-time pro. Fortunately, in a way, he is leaving the area, so I didn't need to make the break.

[fascination]

well there are lots of reasons to leave and there are all sorts of emotions attached...the possibilities are many...and all of them are good to discuss for the sake of folks who find themselves in that situation for any number of reasons

[dancingirldancing]

Also want to say that if a teacher constantly late or cancel students, students will get the messages that the teacher isn't interested in teaching them. They'll eventually take their business elsewhere.

Another instance could be if a student is interested in seaching for am partnership, and the teacher she's working with is mainly doing pro-am, but doesn't know any single am guys to help the girl searching for partner, the am girl will be more likely to seek other teachers who could be helpful in finding a partner.


I agree with the second reason but not the first one.

The reason being my teacher is a very busy high achivement competitor who does this all the time (change lesson, cancel etc last minute) BUT I understand that it is much valuable for me to learn from him than him to teach me. So I try to conform to his schedule whenever I can.

I can still feel that a teacher is not interested when he is teaching me not when he cant.

My 2 cents.

[fascination]

that is a good point DGD...there are lots of ways to look for a partner...and I can't imagine that having a pro who wasn't as able to help with that search would be a major factor for me BUT...I can appreciate that if that was someone's highest priority it would be their perogative...

on a different note...dh recently switched instructors and it was simply a matter of wanting to do a different style with a different person...his teacher was completely sweet about it

[jwlinson]

Shouting, screaming and swear words just have no place before, during or after dance lessons.

Trust me, swear words definitely do have a place during and after lessons, just in a different context :p

Standarddancer, glad to hear you've moved on and away from that. You *have* to have a supportive coach for the best results, and a toxic environment like you mention would definitely hinder your improvement.

[mamboqueen]

*lol* If I had a dime for every time I dropped the "s" bomb in a lesson....I'd have a lot more lessons under my belt!

[fascination]

i think there is a major difference btwn a student accidentally saying a word in frustration and a professional actually cursing AT the student...there is no place for that

[Standarddancer]

i think there is a major difference btwn a student accidentally saying a word in frustration and a professional actually cursing AT the student...there is no place for that

absolutely!

[LucyDiamond]

i think there is a major difference btwn a student accidentally saying a word in frustration and a professional actually cursing AT the student...there is no place for that
exactly

[Standarddancer]

I agree with the second reason but not the first one.

The reason being my teacher is a very busy high achivement competitor who does this all the time (change lesson, cancel etc last minute) BUT I understand that it is much valuable for me to learn from him than him to teach me. So I try to conform to his schedule whenever I can.

I can still feel that a teacher is not interested when he is teaching me not when he cant.

My 2 cents.

Communication is the key, in your case, you know for a fact that your teacher often out of town for his own comp/dancing/career development but he's still make time for you when in town, it's totally understandable; Not like a teacher is cancelling last minute even when he's in town without even texting students; students came to studio, no where to find the teacher, and being notified by front desk staff that "your teacher left for the day..." :( bump...if situation like this happens all the time, then clearly the teacher isn't interested in teaching this student.

[NielsenE]

i think there is a major difference btwn a student accidentally saying a word in frustration and a professional actually cursing AT the student...there is no place for that

There is a major difference, but I'd still say there's no place for either (unless there's no one else in the studio/ballroom)...

[fascination]

sure....but one is probably an accident with no intended victim ...the other is taking aim...and I think that matters

[dlgodud]

I think we're leaving out the issue that prompted elise to post: feeling the need for a different kind of instruction, to get a new perspective on one's dancing.

IMO, that's actually a more difficult situation than leaving because of a bad situation. At least it has been for me. I have felt that recently, but would not have left my long-time pro. Fortunately, in a way, he is leaving the area, so I didn't need to make the break.

I totally agree with this. I am a kind of this stage right now. It is an extremely hard situation. I like my teacher a lot, but I need something new and more. I know eventually I will leave him some point, but I don't know how and when. :(

[Bailamosdance]

Hey, it might not be the teacher's fault that your lesson was 'missed'. There was a studio in this area that was famed for having students show for a lesson, then telling them that the teacher was MIA (but the teacher was never even told of the lesson - the studio owner had serious emotional, organizational and personal problems) and then was either shifted to another teacher or left hanging. the teachers would get indignant emails that expressed either concern (if the student was told that the teacher had a problem and that was why they missed the lesson) or outrage (some students were told there were personal issues - nonexsistent - that made the student and teacher adversaries).