Do you learn MORE from a MEAN teacher?

C

Cheery

Member
Was just thinking, while my pro is super courteous, nice, charming...that perhaps I would learn MORE if he were MEAN sometimes. As in MEAN/WORK ME HARDER/Not let me get away with anything.

During class recently I was so whiney and tired. I messed up the rumba walk completely and he usually starts the lesson making me do this around the entire room several times. Not only could I not do it properly, my lower back was aching because I just finished an exercise class.

He got something for me to hold on both hands to help me weigh them down and do the rumba walk, and I did not want to do it! What a brat. Come to think of it...why was I like that, after all, I am paying him to teach me, right? (I am sure some of you have had days like this?)

Ironically i had been practicing the walk at home for days and thought I was finally getting better/....then this!

Anyway, my subject is...a MEAN teacher, who does not let you get away with anything, would work you more, right. Pro just said I should not come to the studio tired.

During other incidents he has let me get away with things too, as i can see in his face if he is not pleased with what I am doing. Sometimes instead of correcting it he moves on to something else. There are a few times he is persistent when I can't get something, and he does it til I do...but for the most part I think he is too nice. (Surely he thinks this is the way to keep his students).

I'm very curious to know what people out there think about teachers who are "mean" at times to the point of forcing you to do something difficult til you get it. (This only happens mildly with my pro).
 
I don't know. The trainers on Biggest Loser come to mind. lol They should be hard on the people they're training, it's literally life or death there. But with dancing, it's supposed to be fun. I would sacrifice speed of progress for enjoying the process of learning.
 
Not sure if you mean "mean" in the sense of, someone who is more strict and more blunt/honest with their criticism (no sugar coating, so to speak).

I doubt I'll be able to work with a teacher who is too strict, but I don't want to work with one who is too lenient either and lets me get away with things that I shouldn't be getting away with. I need a nice balance between the two.

If you prefer them to be up front with you about your mistakes, I think it's a reasonable request and you should let your instructor know. One of my dance friends does this, she asks her teacher to be blunt and honest with her... if she sucks, she wants him to tell her that she's sucking. haha I'm a bit more sensitive and can't hand that type of criticism/honesty.
 
As has already been mentioned, it depends on your definition of "mean". But it also largely depends on the person and the situation. Everyone has a different personality and a different set of limits. Many good instructors are able to feel out each individual student and adjust according to what works for him or her. But then there are other instructors who are the same no matter who they are teaching. I personally think the art of adjustment is the mark of a great instructor, and I definitely feel myself doing this with everyone I teach, but someone who doesn't adjust may still be solid when it comes to instructing.

A teacher who motivates and disciplines as needed can be great, but if you are being taught by someone who just imparts knowledge maybe it puts the responsibility on you to create that motivation and discipline for yourself. Naturally, we each tend toward one or the other. I tend to do this for myself, so I don't expect instructors to do it, but as a fellow instructor I certainly can appreciate it when they have that ability.
 
those things do not strike me as mean...they strike me as the sign of a good teacher....personal attacks are mean......
 
JustLiving08 said:
Not sure if you mean "mean" in the sense of, someone who is more strict and more blunt/honest with their criticism (no sugar coating, so to speak).

I doubt I'll be able to work with a teacher who is too strict, but I don't want to work with one who is too lenient either and lets me get away with things that I shouldn't be getting away with. I need a nice balance between the two.

If you prefer them to be up front with you about your mistakes, I think it's a reasonable request and you should let your instructor know. One of my dance friends does this, she asks her teacher to be blunt and honest with her... if she sucks, she wants him to tell her that she's sucking. haha I'm a bit more sensitive and can't hand that type of criticism/honesty.
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MEAN-MAKES YOU WORK HARD-NOT LENIENT-TELLS THE TRUTH EVEN IF UGLY.

I suppose because pro is too nice and courteous, I need to ply him for answers...I often say after a lesson, how did i do, and ask him to grade me! He never used to do this but not it's kind of customary. When I do something good he praises me, but I really need to know in more detail the progress.

Recently during bronze routine we were chachaing so fast and after that I said to him I felt like a machine, and felt I looked like one. He said that we would embellish this later on. It's very difficult for me because whenever he answers he is struggling with vocabulary and ideas and I don't know what he is saying. But in the end I get it.

Frankly I also don't like it when HE feels like a machine, even if we are only in class doing bronze syllabus. Ugh! If he is acting like a machine then so will i, as I mirror my partner obviously.

Let's wait and see the embellishments, we're going to do only syllabus for the next few months.
 
i love blunt teachers.... i am always appreciative when they tell me I am doing something horribly... gives me something to practice :)
 
At a coaching with Eddie Ares about a bazillion years ago, he was trying to get me to do something (I forget) and was just SO NICE. He apologized if he were being "too hard" on me. In a nutshell, I told him that I wasn't there for my self esteem, but to have it broken down and to actually learn and that getting tough wouldn't bother me in the least. 8)

For me, having a coach give me the low down and then expect *results* is just the way things are supposed to be. I don't want a pat on the back, I want to learn and improve. Besides which, I'm just a little skeptical of people who are super complimentary all the time... Who me, paranoid? ;)
 
NonieS said:
i love blunt teachers.... i am always appreciative when they tell me I am doing something horribly... gives me something to practice :)
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i agree. i don't care for a socially acquiescent style. gimme straight-up and let's get goin'...but with a soft touch. :D
 
samina said:
i agree. i don't care for a socially acquiescent style. gimme straight-up and let's get goin'...but with a soft touch. :D
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Ok I think I have to tell pro to be tougher with me. I think I should've changed the title of this thread. TOUGH TEACHER, not mean!

I want to hear it all, the good, the bad and the ugly!
 
Some people need or like to be pushed by their instructors, I am not one of them.

Give me the information and well paced feedback on what I am doing and need to correct and I will push myself to meet or exceed your (and my) expectations. If you do it in such a way that allows me to relax while we work (i.e. I'm not being yelled at), I'll learn faster. An added bonus to a more positive tone, I won't damage my self confidence by beating myself up and I'll perform better on the floor.

But I realize each individual is different, what works for me, might not work for others. If you're working long term with an instructor, and you think another methodology might work better for you - have a talk with him/her.
 
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