Fair payment to teacher

Just caught this thread. I was actually wondering this myself. We're at a franchise studio, and aside from maybe 3 or 4 teachers, since we've been taking lessons in february, a lot of teachers have left. I would say (not 100% sure on this) one of the most popular male teachers actually just ended up leaving to go away to college. I guess he was commuting to the city and back for teaching, and it wasn't working out time/stress/etc. He was definately one of the more advanced teachers, I know he competed and did well in some of the last competitions he went to. I guess some people don't envision teaching as a full-time career maybe.

Since I started dancing I wish I could be on the floor 8 hours a day ( but I know being on the business end brings all kinds of stress that a "normal" career would bring)
 
It varies a lot by studio, bigtone. Even in same franchise in same area, I've seen some studios go through a whole bunch of teachers, and some have same teachers stick around for years (or some combination of the two).

How compensation works out, how personalities of teachers and managers work, whether owners are a growing business, and hence teachers will leave to go manage new studios for owners, or their own new studios, etc. Lots of reasons for teachres leaving. Plus simple unrelated ones like school, as you said. We got one of our teachers from another FA in area because she moved down to the city and didn't want to continue to drive all the way out ot suburban school she was at.
 
Welcome to the DF.

Your post brings back memories of a chain school studio that I was involved with in the '80s. In defense of the studio/s, there has always been relatively high turnover in the business. Studios have done things such as non-paid training hours, etc. to aid in nto wasting time and moeny training someone who walks, for whatever reason/s, right after training. Some contracts are good...some not, but they do have a purpose, and it is generally constructive.

In defense of your position, it appears that there are two issues at hand; 1- your uncomfortability with the dance business practices, and 2- your uncomfortability with this particular individual's business practices. Things such as mandatory attendance for unpaid hours, etc., I have always found to be a bit of a stretch. Common sense dictates that if one is putting in several volunteered hours for training, other hours might be needed for survival. I've never understood that seemingly common practice, amongst others.

You seem to be quite articulate, and aware of who you are, and what you want...if only, at least, for the moment. Don't leave the biz if it's just this guy whom you are put off by. You might wish to try to negotiate things in your favor long enough to gain the skills which you need to effectively move on to another studio. Good luck.
 
Thank you everybody for your insights and warm welcomes!

They told me last night that the contract now could absolutely not be negotiated -- weeks after telling me it could, wasting my time and money to revise it. That pretty much ended everything there!

I'm a smart cookie, and I believe that there's a studio owner out there that can recognize and appreciate passion, drive, and business smarts when they see it!

Have an amazing weekend ladies and gentlemen!
 
You should definetly start your system at $30. But overall its a great idea to pay more if they teach more, just start out paying more or people will leave.

If I am working 40 hour per week and making $36 an hour, I would much rather leave, hope some students follow, and make $75 an hour teaching 15-20 hours a week.
 
I keep getting advertisements to be a teacher. The studio is offering $10 to start. That is roughly a $20,000 salary (If you actually work 40 hours a week). You can make more working at McDonalds.
 
cantskiforlife said:
I keep getting advertisements to be a teacher. The studio is offering $10 to start. That is roughly a $20,000 salary (If you actually work 40 hours a week). You can make more working at McDonalds.
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But, in defense of studios, most allow commissions on sales that offer the op of increasing the salary if one is any good. You won't get that at Mickey D's.
 
cantskiforlife said:
I believe top was only in the upper teens.
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It has been my experience that with the chain schools, yes, the salary tops in the mid (perhaps, upper) teens. But, again, with commissions on sales, one can exceed that annually. "Do you want fries with that?", doesn't raise one's pay one bit.
 
cantskiforlife said:
I keep getting advertisements to be a teacher. The studio is offering $10 to start. That is roughly a $20,000 salary (If you actually work 40 hours a week). You can make more working at McDonalds.
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McDonald's also offers health insurance and sick days whereas most independent studios do not. Depending on the number of employees they may not be obligated to do so, at least in Massachusetts.
 
Larinda McRaven said:
But at a studio you won't be working a 40 hour week either. It takes literally YEARS and YEARS for a new teacher to get past 30. Ask any teacher under ten years how many hours they work. You will be surprised.
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Agreed, 100%. Yet, the point is that one has the op to increase their pay w/ commissions on sales.

Larinda McRaven said:
please tell me you are joking.... :roll:
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Part of my job is helping studios to be successful. I have come across several that start their teachers at minimum wage, and offer them .50 - $1.00 raises per checkout. This is one of the reasons for results like those in the former post. Also, ...why I prefer a TC contract system (which allows teacher the studio base rate). .....better for the student while still protecting the studio.
 
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