Thread: Your LEAST favorite part of teaching...

Well I think we can all come up with things we LOVE about teaching our amazing dance, but on a more cynical note... what's your LEAST favorite part of teaching? I'll be instructing my very first class next week, and being the optimistic pessimist that I am, I'm curious what negatives could come about. Honesty and candidness are appreciated :)

When people give up and do something completely silly just to goof off in front of their friends rather than keep trying on something they're struggling with. Luckily that doesn't happen very often because it's really distracting. It usually only happens during the "girl's night out" group lessons, especially after said person has had a few cocktails beforehand and figures what I'm teaching is impossible just because she can't keep up.

The student who does not get it ...yes...yes...I am talking to you...yes...you!!!! Please put your heels on the floor!

I'm definitely going to have lots who don't 'get it', as I'm teaching at a gym. Every single class is going to have to be very basic beginner level, with some new beginner moves every week.

I think my first least favorite part (even BEFORE my first class) is knowing that the fitness manager wants me to teach in a mirror-fashion, facing the members. So when I do a right hip drop, I have to say "left". She says it's in order to 'connect' with the members... but in my experience, teaching AND learning are easier when the instructor is facing the SAME direction you are, not opposite. I might just face the class to show them the move, then turn around to execute it with them. After all, this is MY audition, and I guess if she doesn't care for my style of teaching... well.... ;)

I feel like a bad egg for saying this, but there were a LOT of things I didn't like about teaching :zillevil:

I always secretly wished for an uber-committed group of guys and gals who'd show up to class every week, listen when I was demonstrating a new move, and bear with the warmups, posture, drilling and other unsexy classroom exercises while they progressed. The reality was a little different. The studio I taught at drew a lot of busy moms who'd attend class sporadically, miss entire lessons, chat while I was explaining new movements, and get frustrated that they weren't learning full choreographies when they were still grasping hip circles.

Of course, I'd be the first to admit that performing is my strong suit, and a great teacher would have probably been able to engage the more "casual" student on their level. But I also think there's something to be said for effort. In other words, if your students want to get "good" without putting in any effort, then that only makes your job more difficult....

The only part I can think of offhand is the non-teaching bits.

I hate answering the phone and returning phone calls. HATE it. HATE IT!!!

Bookkeeping also is a drag.

Did I mention I hate the phone?

Originally Posted by Lauren_

The only part I can think of offhand is the non-teaching bits.

I hate answering the phone and returning phone calls. HATE it. HATE IT!!!

Bookkeeping also is a drag.

Did I mention I hate the phone?

Yep, and every time I answer the phone I think I could have sounded more enthusiastic. Why don't they just use email? ,f::

I don't like the long sessions. The studio i teach at has 4 12-14 week sessions per year, which means I get about 1 week off per quarter. Totally sucks.

Love teaching though! I just hope I don't get burned out.

The least is having students who come in looking for "spirituality" I don't offer that just dance lessons!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

In other words, if your students want to get "good" without putting in any effort, then that only makes your job more difficult....

It's actually my number one pet peeve - students who admit they don't practice and then complain that they're not getting any better. I'm fine with casual students who are just looking for a night out or what have you, but they do need to understand that you only get out of it what you put into it.

red tape, policies and paperwork

The grind! Having to be there every freakin' time rather you feel like it or not - and having to be 'on' to boot, even for those students you're not crazy about. I mean day in and day out beginners classes and choreography classes, it can get uninspired if you're not careful to add in some creative plans and really try to enjoy your student's successes, however small they may be.

Book keeping also not a strong suit. Can we file another extension please...

Drama and gossip...irritating! Quelling it can be difficult at times - I feel guilty telling people what they can or can't talk about, but it must be stopped - so I do, then I feel guilty later. But I have to do it!

Oh yes, and here's a realization I came to a few weeks ago...I found myself thinking "I really miss dancing." I teach so much that I feel like I rarely dance. I perform choreography, I teach it, I teach moves and transitions, I direct the performance group and all that goes with that, but when the heck do I really dance?

Basta!

KS

The hardest thing about teaching beginner classes for me is remembering that people come to beginner classes for a multitude of reasons:
to get fit
to have fun
to loose weight
to try something new
to connect with their feminine side....
Its rare that Adults come to a beginner class because they want to become dancers. Some find out in the process that this could be more than just a 12-week fling, but most of them just want to wiggle around, have fun, and feel good.
I want to teach dance. Its not a play group or a women's spirituality circle or an exercise class. Its a dance class. Those other things are fringe benefits. I've had to adapt. I teach most of my classes at an adult ed center, not a dance studio, so its up to me to make sure that it is fun, it is fit & healthy, it is supportive...Its hard for me to remember that & lighten the class up sometimes.

Originally Posted by s1dur1_sab1tu

Oh yes, and here's a realization I came to a few weeks ago...I found myself thinking "I really miss dancing." I teach so much that I feel like I rarely dance. I perform choreography, I teach it, I teach moves and transitions, I direct the performance group and all that goes with that, but when the heck do I really dance?


KS

This is the part I also am having trouble dealing with. I think I am becoming a better teacher and like you said I perform choreography, I teach it, I teach moves and transitions, I direct the performance group and all that goes with that...but I no longer have enough time for myself. Come time for a solo performance I no longer feel prepared!

The hardest thing for me is teaching middle schoolers all day and then teaching adults in the evening. I sometimes just get burned out explaining things over and over.

Originally Posted by s1dur1_sab1tu

The grind! Having to be there every freakin' time rather you feel like it or not - and having to be 'on' to boot, even for those students you're not crazy about. I mean day in and day out beginners classes and choreography classes, it can get uninspired if you're not careful to add in some creative plans and really try to enjoy your student's successes, however small they may be.

Basta!

KS

Amen!

I was my teachers assistant for a bit thinking I wanted to teach, she showed me the ropes.things I didn't like bored housewife syndrome , chatty cathies, not turning off cell phones. Its dance class not a tea party.


Alrana

I hate hate hate shakira wannabes. These girls who show up with the attitude that they already know everything. They find out the truth pretty quick and they usually don't return.

I'm ok with students who are just there for fun.

The part I dont liek about teaching ist he admin stuff - the bookkeeping, scheduling studios, prrromoting classes, etc.

Originally Posted by rassicahl

The hardest thing for me is teaching middle schoolers all day and then teaching adults in the evening. I sometimes just get burned out explaining things over and over.

I don't teach middle school all day (wow that is a chore!!) but do get tired of explaning things over and over. Since most people don't stay in belly dance for too long, I don't get to really teach a lot of the good stuff to too many people. I love to see people advance and get better and better, but only a few get to that point, so I feel I am forever teaching the same hip circles and figure 8s and such over and over just to different faces, it gets so boring.

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

I hate hate hate shakira wannabes. These girls who show up with the attitude that they already know everything. They find out the truth pretty quick and they usually don't return.

And they act surprised when they find out that belly dance is actually hard. Little do they know, Shakira uses top-notch choreographers to help her perfect her signature moves!

Teaching chest pops was always amusing, because half of the class would do it in that exaggerated stylization you see in Shakira's La Tortura video. Hence, I'd always do the demonstration, "OK, now this is Shakira's chest pop....(insert back-breaking, aggressive pop)....now this is the type we use in belly dance! (insert softly accentuated pop)."

I don't actually mind the book keeping, answering enquiries, etc. What I don't like is dealing with rude customers who turn up without money and then get all shirty because I won't let them into the class. Or that think the standard payment rules somehow don't apply to them. Or don't bother listening to/reading the rules in the first place. It's especially irritating that this happens mostly on the 'rich' side of town.

And I hate noisy chatter through warm ups. I need that time to centre and focus, plus I don't want you to injure yourself because you didn't do a proper warmup.

Well I was reading some of your comments and unfortunately all of you girls are right, hehehe....
I wish that all my groups of students will take in serious the Dance.... some start and think "Ah this will be so easy" these never come back....another "I love to dance like Shakira and for this reason I am here, so show me how" I like Shakira but she is singer no an Oriental Dancer .....and others "the house, the husband, the kids, the phone, the job" they are thinking and speaking about all these things during the class....
For these reasons I have in my studio 3 groups; one group is to the students who coming to the "tea party" once a week..... the other group is the students who wants to learn but they dont dedicate the time and the mind to do it! they miss a lot classes and dont pay attention to the instructions (usually coming twice a week, well when appear)....and the last group are the students who bring me in every class the best effort and I am so proud of them!, they never miss classes, always follow the directions and take care of the corrections, they coming min. 3 times per week (2 technique classes and one choreography class)

Your students are your friends and clients but you are the TEACHER so you deserve respect and they must to follow your rules inside the classroom:
* The instructor usually is right, so dont speak in class and if you dont understand something just ask to the teacher!
* No gum-chewing inside the classroom. (this fill of gas your stomach and look horrible)
* No cell phones allowed inside the classroom/ change to vibrate mode and you must to go outside the classroom to use the phone (only for adults) in teen and kids classes NO phone. Sorry is 1 hour class talk in the other 23 hours of the day!
* No more than 10 minutes late because you miss the stretching and warming-up
*Choose from the beginning in what group do you want to be
A) Just classes for training, learn some steps and fun or
B) The Real Dancers and Performers Group
* I love all of you with all my heart but these are my rules are you ready to the challenge:zillevil:
Monica Silvestri
Superior Performing Arts Dance Center Homepage

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

... What I don't like is dealing with rude customers who turn up without money and then get all shirty because I won't let them into the class. Or that think the standard payment rules somehow don't apply to them.

,m:: UGH!! I find this to be a big problem if you teach in a studio or private place (i.e. home studio) where you are in charge of the payment. It's amazing to me how some people try to 'get a deal' or tell you how you should do payment, or say they will pay you next week or whatever. It is so frustrating, thanks for reminding me about that one.

The one student who feels she has to constantly offer advise on how she wants the class taught! Because she is a piano teacher, she thinks that she knows how best to teach a belly dance class. She has never taken a dance class of any kind before...

I hate losing my best students because of a crappy economy or life disasters.

Diva Students, who show up *knowing* how to dance already because a) they watch Shimmy on TV b) a friend showed them a couple of moves c) they were in cheerleading and took ballet/tap and are natural dancers

i dont mind most of the i hates above. i dont mind the multitude of reasons people turn up to class for, i dont mind if they dont get it, i dont mind having to show up every week

i do mind obnoxious people, and well, i guess as in every job, you get one once in a while. they're at their worst over the phone and in free try out classes.

Originally Posted by mysterywoman

I'm ok with students who are just there for fun.

The part I dont liek about teaching ist he admin stuff - the bookkeeping, scheduling studios, prrromoting classes, etc.

I don't mind most of the other things listed, but yeah- the admin, advertising, set up- that wears me out.

I especially hate how I spend the most time on the phone or responding to email with folks who will never show up. If they plan on being there, they might send one email, or call once just to make sure everything is going as scheduled, ask about payment policy (can I pay at class or do you need it before hand- I love you!) & that's it. The ones who keep calling ("guess what, I talked 3 of my girlfriends into coming too! will you have costumes we can buy?") seem like a complete waste of time.

The attitude I have had to adopt is basically the 'I am not your mommy' attitude. I am presenting information- if you are really trying & need more help with breaking something down, I am happy to help. But I will not call you when you don't show, 'loan' you a class when you forget your check book, slow the class down because you weren't listening, etc. I probably lose a few clients that way, but the ones I have I love.

Also good to note, not everyone is cut out for teaching beginners, while some of us love it. I have thought about suggesting to another local teacher that we do a joint venture- I love working with the raw beginners while she gets frustrated & prefers to work with the more dedicated advanced students. Haven't pursued it yet, (for one thing, it would reqire synching our teaching styles) but it's a possibility...

Well, I've had to get fingerprinted in order to teach. Twice even, for two different cities (and yet again to coach soccer)! Other than that, though, I think I've been pretty spoiled with lack of admin duties.

My least favorite part of teaching is trying to deal with brand new 'beginners' of all levels. When there are people that have all signed up for the same 8- or 10-week beginner course but there are a few that clearly have a propensity for dance and movement and have great body awareness and then there are people that don't understand a simple weight change let alone grasp basic movements, I find teaching to the lowest common denominator somewhat frustrating. I don't want to separate the class into can-do's and can't-do's that early on, so it doesn't seem fair to start throwing more at the more proficient ones...but at the same time I don't want them to get bored.

The intermediate and advanced classes are quite fun. I'd love to be the yin to your yang, Lara!