Another WWBD Thread

[laura 2]

I'll try to make this as short as I can, hoping that you'll be able to get the gist of the situation. It's a little complicated.

Two years ago, I was hired to do a performance/mini-lesson at a Yoga studio. I told them I would love to do it, but was every upfront that if there was an interest in classes, I would not be able to teach anything but a daytime class because I was totally booked for evening slots. Of course, the participants loved it and started clamoring for a regular class, but the studio owner didn't think a daytime class would garner much interest. She wanted me to refer another teacher, but her studio is so far out in the boonies, I couldn't find anyone who would drive that far (I already live out that way, so it wasn't an issue for me).

Over the next year or so, she continued to email me every few months to ask if I had a spot open, and each time I responded that if any of my current venues fell through, she'd be the first person I'd call. Another dancer I know found out about the situation, and took it upon herself to refer the gig to a dancer (let's call her B) that I had not contacted myself because she's had a lot of health problems and I didn't know she was teaching again. Even if I had known, I'm not sure I would have recommended her, because I've had a few interactions with B in the past where she has come off as touchy, a little paranoid, and prone to emotional outbursts.

B accepted the job. About a month later, I got an email from B asking if I could sub for a whole slew of dates for her - like, nearly every other week for a couple of months. ..c:: I was taken aback and couldn't believe that someone would accept a new teaching job and then start subbing out half the classes right off the bat. I told her I couldn't do it as I was already teaching my own classes on that night.

About two weeks after that, the studio owner emailed me again and asked if I had any availability to teach class there. I presumed that she had let B go, based on what I knew about B looking for a sub. I just emailed her back with the same old, "No, but if I do you'll be the first to know."

[laura 2]

Fast forward to last week. I dropped one of my teaching locations due to some crappy facility issues. As promised, and again thinking that B had been given the boot, I emailed the owner and asked if she was still looking for a Belly Dance teacher. She emailed me back immediately and we started talking details via email. After the 3rd or 4th email, she mentioned in passing that she knew the class was going to have a great turnout because the current instructor .w.: had a pretty good student base. I emailed her back immediately and asked why she needed me if she already had a BD teacher. He response was that she and B had agreed that the current session (to end a week before I am to start) would be the last one. She said that B complained incessantly about the drive, and that she was also not wild about how B was teaching the class (I plan to get more details on this, as I want to make sure my teaching method won't result in the same thing).

Last night, I got an email from B. She wants me to call her, because she found out I'm taking over classes there and wants to warn me about issues she's had getting paid by the studio. ,f::

On the one hand, forewarned is forearmed, and I should probably at least hear her out. But on the other hand, I feel like I want to start this new location with a clean slate, and not tainted by the complaints of a disgruntled former employee. If it hadn't been for my discomfort with the subbing issue, and the fact that I consider her a bit unstable, I'd have no problem talking to her.

Sooooo...if you've held out this long, What Would Bhuzzers Do?

[*Shira*]

Depends on whether you feel a need to maintain a cordial relationship with B. If I were in your shoes and wanted to keep a cordial acquaintanceship with B, I'd agree to the conversation with B, and hear her out, but always keeping in mind that there are two sides to every story and B is representing just one of them. You can listen politely, tell her you understand her frustration, thank her for the warning, and then go to the yoga studio with an open mind.

I doubt that B would taint your opinion of the yoga studio - after all, you have already had a firsthand experience teaching a one-off class there yourself, and it was obviously positive enough for you to consider returning. Surely you'd put more weight on your own experience with the demo class that you taught there than you would on the complaints of someone who wasn't happy there.

It will, of course, be important to find out from the owner of the yoga studio why she didn't like the way B approached teaching the class, just to ensure (as you said) that there won't be an issue with YOUR teaching style.

I heard nightmare stories from other belly dance teachers about the adult education program where I taught in California - both before I started teaching there, and after I left. Both other teachers had real hassles getting along with the coordinator, whom they found very unpleasant to deal with. But I always got along great with her, myself. There were times I could tell she was feeling crabby toward me (my fault - I was awful about turning paperwork in on time), but even then she was respectful toward me. I just chalk it up to the fact that some people's personalities don't mix very well, and when you bring money into the picture it adds a layer of crabbiness on top of other grievances.

[laura 2]

I just chalk it up to the fact that some people's personalities don't mix very well, and when you bring money into the picture it adds a layer of crabbiness on top of other grievances.

Shira, you are absolutely right about that. Thanks so much for the input!

[danielabellydance]

I agree with Shira that the important person to be speaking to is the owner of the studio - make sure you know what went down with B so that the expectations are clear for both of you from the start. I'd call B just to be nice and hear her out, but not put much weight in what she has to say.

[aazura]

I agree with Shira that the important person to be speaking to is the owner of the studio - make sure you know what went down with B so that the expectations are clear for both of you from the start. I'd call B just to be nice and hear her out, but not put much weight in what she has to say.

Ditto.

[jewelbellydance]

I'd be very interested in what B had to say! Hey, it may indeed just be sour grapes/ personality clash, but there may legitimately be a problem about being paid, and I'd certainly want to know that. At the very worst, it will help you to clarify what points you want to put in your contract when you start teaching at the yoga studio.

Over the years I've had instances of places where I've taught, had issues getting paid, left, then they've done the same thing to another teacher, then another....I wish I'd been given the opportunity to at least warn the next teacher to take care and write a firm contract! And I've seen a dance studio advertising for new bellydance teachers every other term, even though I know the teachers they've hired are good and reliable. Before I would volunteer to teach there, I'd want to get the skinney from the previous teachers on what the issue seems to be.

[MaryRaks]

I'd listen to what B had to say along with what the studio owner has to say and then take all that with a grain of salt and draw your own conclusions.

It can't hurt to have all the details before you draw up your teaching contract.

[laura 2]

I'd listen to what B had to say along with what the studio owner has to say and then take all that with a grain of salt and draw your own conclusions.

In a nutshell, that's definately my plan after reading all the good advice on this thread. ..g.:

[amirahdancer]

I agree with everyone else. I definitely would want to hear what B had to say - just to to be as informed as possible. Sounds like you're going about it the right way. Best of luck with the outcome.

[AmandaRose2]

i agree with daniela! good call