Thread: Creating the diva student

I'm becoming increasingly aware of a problem that has begun to fester at my studio.
.

One of our instructors is allowing the personal friendship that she's developed with a student of hers to enter into the class setting. The student is a quick learner and a fair dancer - but because of this "teacher's pet" status that has developed is coming off with a Diva attitude that has begun affecting other students willingness to attend class. Worse still is that the instructor (whether knowingly/unknowingly) encourages the behaviour/attitude.

Example: when said instructor takes a sick day, I sub her class. The instructor emails myself and another instructor the notes for a choreo she wants covered that night. But also sends copy to pet student (not all her students - just the one). Pet places herself up front & center like she is going to instruct class.
I change that right away - setting class up on rotation for each time choreo is gone through so that EVERYONE has a turn up front. I think this is good - as requires each dancer to learn the piece rather than use another or stronger dancer as crutch to follow.

Example 2: The instructor breifs and teaches pet the move/choreos she is teaching to class. And pet now "shows off" that she can do the moves easier/better than her fellow students (who are only just learning them in class). Well, of course she can when she knows them beforhand!

Example 3: Our studio is about enter its first "real competition". The instructor writing the choreo for competition asks instructor in question if she wants to participate. The response is yes. Instructor writing choreo then asks if instructor in question if she can recommend another dancer (as they are entering as a group and need min 3 persons). Instructor in question recommends pet (in front of pet and other students)

I wince... ..c::
As pet, while a quick study and a fair dancer - is not IMO a seasoned enough dancer to enter. She's had about a year off/on of basic BD previously, from which she took a break from for about a year off prior to attending last 4 months here with us. Only 2 performances period (one community event and one student event), and NO cabaret experience ever. So when instructor writing choreo asks my opinion of the students ability, I give it, honestly. The group entering competition now consists of two instructors and two of our advanced students (who's ability, experience, and attitudes are in good standing)


But I still have the problem of teacher & pet affecting other students, the class, and ultimatly studio's bottom line (as several gals have said they'll drop out altogether if situation persists). I've spoken to instructor but she doesn't seem to think anything is amiss.

This is a hard one. If you have already said something to the instructor, and she didn't seem responsive, I don't really know what you can do other than ride it out. People get favorites, those relationships ebb and flow. If students are feeling alienated from her classes because of this behavior, I guess it has it's own rewards right? The problem seems to be that it is if effecting the culture of the studio that you are trying to create. It's good that there are other classes. :) I'm sorry this is a frustrating situation, but I don't really see any other action that wouldn't be snippy or insulting. Always take the high road, right?

If, or more likely, when, the instructor loses her other paying students...she'll figure it out. Maybe. Or she will have one student.

If the other students stop attending her class then whoever owns the studio should have a heart-to-heart talk with the instructor. Her classes should then be cancelled due to lack of interest/participation as overhead costs still need to be paid. If only one student (pet) shows up as paying student then overhead costs will not be covered.
It sounds like pet student has ambitions to become an instructor herself and perhaps the instructor is trying to "groom" her to become an instructor. It happens all the time locally where I live.
I hope everything works out at your studio. It will be an unhappy situation if other girls wish to drop out or go to another studio due to this conflicting situation.

Originally Posted by Jennah

whoever owns the studio should have a heart-to-heart talk with the instructor.

I hope everything works out at your studio. It will be an unhappy situation if other girls wish to drop out or go to another studio due to this conflicting situation.

I own the studio - and have already talked with the instructor
(about this and other "little things").

And not every student is dropping out, but attendance by several (usually regular) has become intermittant over the past three/four months. She is a popular instructor, dance and teaching ability a strong asset - but if things persist, I fear will have to cut her. Unfortunatly the studio will probably loose all of her students if that happens. As when she came to teach at my studio a year ago, another studio she was instructing at (one class a week) dropped her - citing conflict of interest. As a result the majority of THOSE students came over. And of those that did not, they did not continue on at the other studio.

As the owner, at least you can do the "business is business" thing and avoid the personal drama as best you can. It's up to her, not you, to keep the attendance up, pay for studio time, etc. If not, wouldn't you be in a similar situation? ie. favoring one instructor over other instructors who use your space?

[not a criticism, BTW, just an observation...it's tough to negotiate]

Yeah, teachers who effectively run their own business inside your own are pretty common.

They're not unlike hairdressers in that way - people follow the hairdresser they like anywhere, and they are *her* clients - but the difficulty arises if said teacher is your employee. If she is doing things that harm your business you can make that choice, to get rid of her. Ultimately, what's the bigger cost to you - a loss of some students - you can and will get more - or a person who just doesn't share your values and who plays favourites in class?